travel essentials list for baby

The Ultimate Packing List for Baby Travel (+printable checklist!)

Over the years, i’ve written a lot about how to travel with a baby..

Between leaping head first into baby travel when Evelyn was 5 weeks old, to taking our special needs baby Sophie on several trips around the country, we’ve become pretty well-acquainted with the world of travel with a baby by now.

Truthfully, traveling with a baby is not all that bad. But it does require a ton of preparation for  all the things  that you might possibly need.

We’ve covered  what to pack in your carry on  before, along with  everything you need to know before flying with a baby . I’ve even shared our favorite baby travel gear and travel-friendly toys .

But one thing I haven’t covered? A comprehensive, everything-you-must-pack guide to make the whole trip with baby go extra smoothly!

We were reminded of just how much stuff one little human can require as we prepared for our month-long adventure around Southern California . Our packing list felt endless . And I can say pretty confidently that we left nothing behind.

So let me spare you the stress of wondering “what am I forgetting” ?

Read on for our ultimate baby packing list of EVERYTHING you might ever need when traveling with a baby!  (+a free printable checklist at the bottom of this post!)

Pin it for later:.

BabyBjorn Travel Crib | Brica Travel Bassinet | BabyZen Yoyo Stroller | BabyZen Bassinet | MiaMily Carrier | MiaMily Infant Insert | Babyzen Yoyo Adapter Clips | Doona Car Seat Stroller | MaxiCosi Car Sea t | Car Seat Travel Bag

Baby Packing List | Travel Gear

First things first, the big stuff !

You may not need all of these items for every trip, but for the most part, we bring this same travel-friendly baby gear just about everywhere we go:

• Baby Carrier | A baby carrier is a must, even if it’s nothing more than an efficient way to move through the airport. I know not all kiddos love the carrier, but we find that having both a carrier and stroller available when we travel with Sophie is essential. You just never know when you’ll run into a place with lots of stairs or uneven sidwalks, so it’s good to have a back up that will keep you moving freely. We started out with the  ErgoBaby , but made the switch to the more lightweight and compact  MiaMily toddler carrier with Infant Insert and absolutely love it. Still on the fence? Read up and compare  all of our favorite carriers for babies and toddlers here .
• Stroller  | Even though our carrier is indispensable, we like to have options. For newborns, I adore the Doona Car Seat & Stroller 2-in-1 . I only wish this had been around when our girls were babies because it takes so much hassle out of traveling with a baby! For us personally, we love and recommend the lightweight and carry-on compliant  Babyzen YOYO+ , which is great for older babies who can sit up on their own (don’t forget the puchase a compatible backpack carry bag – so worth it)! For newborns you can add on the bassinet pack onto the YOYO+, just keep in mind you will have to gate check the stroller with this add-on.
• Car Seat  | Depending on where you’re going, you may or may not want to bring the car seat. If you will need one, the Maxi Cosi and  Nuna Pipa  are two that can adapt to a YOYO+ without the bassinet add-on (just get some  adapters like these , and you’re good to go!). For older babies, a popular choice is the  Cosco Scenera Next , which is super lightweight at just 10 pounds. I recommend getting a car seat bag to keep it clean while flying, and if you’re worried about it getting banged up by luggage handlers, you can upgrade to a padded car seat bag .
• Travel Crib | We’ve always brought our own travel crib, mostly because I want our kids to feel the comfort of a familiar sleeping environment, no matter where we are. We’ve been especially happy with our  Baby Bjorn Travel Crib , which has held up with our travels all over the country these past 6 years. For infants, you can get away with a more compact option, like this Travel Pod Bassinet . And if you’re in a pinch, most family-friendly hotels will offer cribs for free, or you can rent one from a baby gear rental company, like BabyQuip . Read up on all  our favorite baby travel cribs here .

Pro Tip: Don’t want the stress of traveling with all your gear? Use BabyQuip and get bulky items like cribs, strollers, high chairs, car seats and so much more delivered straight to your hotel or rental!

Packing Cubes | Sun Hat | Baby Socks | Moccasins | Pajamas | Boys Swimsuit | Girls Swimsuit

Baby Packing List | Clothes

Sure, babies require a lot of stuff to pack, but the one area where they don’t take up much space in the suitcase: clothes!

I use these packing cubes for everyone in the family and almost everything for baby can fit into just one:

• Pants & Leggings  | Usually 2-3 pairs. In colder months I’ll skip the rompers and dresses, and add more leggings, pants and sweaters.
• Shirts & Onesies | Usually 2-3 tops, adding 2-3 more in winter months.
• Dresses or Rompers | Usually 2-3 for warmer destinations, because they’re so easy to pack and don’t require mixing and matching tops and bottoms.
• Socks | 2-3 pairs , even in the summer months in case we end up somewhere chilly.
• Booties or Shoes | I’ve recently become obsessed with little baby shoes, but I try to stick to one simple pair of baby moccasins that match everything for travel, like these from BirdRock Baby .
• Hat | A must, no matter where you’re traveling, whether a sun hat for the spring and winter, or a fuzzy hat for the fall and winter.
• Swimsuit | Only if necessary, of course. These boy and girl options from Rufflebutts are our favorites.
• Pajamas | I stick to just 2 pairs of footie pajamas  (plus a 3rd pair worn on our travel day).

This might not seem like a lot of clothes, but if we’re traveling for more than 5 days, we’ll wash and rewear items to keep our packing light. This means making sure we have access to laundry facilities while we travel (whether it be an Airbnb with a washing machine, hotel with a laundry room, or a wash and fold laundry service nearby).

Tommee Tippee Bottles | Formula Dispenser | Travel Mug | Slim Ice Packs | Pumping Backpack | Breast Pump Battery Pack | Bottle Cooler | Nursing/Car Seat Cover | Muslin Swaddle Blankets | Dr. Brown’s Bottle Wipes | Travel Dish Soap | Travel Bottle Drying Rac k ( similar one here ) | Stackable Snack Container | Silicone Snack Cup | Wipe-Clean Bibs | Spoon with Case | Folding Spoons | Squeeze Pouch Baby Food | Sippy Cup with Weighted Straw | Travel High Chair

Baby Packing List | Nursing & Feeding

Things change quickly with a baby, and depending on their age and feeding habits, you may need any of the following:

• Bottles | We’ve always traveled with just two bottles and been fine. Tommee Tippee and Dr. Brown’s are our favorites.
• Drying Rack | I love our OXO travel drying rack ( similar option here ); it’s come in handy more times than I can count! We also have a larger version of this Boon travel drying rack at home, and would highly recommend either. It’s truly one of the items you don’t think you need until you’re balancing wet bottles around a hotel sink.
• Dish Soap | Never fails, I always forget dish soap! If you’re staying in an Airbnb, there’s no need to bring your own (unless you’re particular about what you use). But if you’re staying in a hotel, for sure pack this little travel-size one  for washing bottles!
• Nursing Cover | There’s a good chance you’ll have little privacy for nursing during travels, and at the very least a nursing cover can help with getting little ones to fall asleep in busy places. Or for a lighter solution, a muslin swaddle is great and doubles as a blankie.
• Breast Pump & Supplies  | It’s a pain to lug around for sure, but if you’re going to need it, consider investing in a few pieces to make pumping on-the-go easier: a special  backpack and battery pack . (and good news, the airline won’t count this against your carry on luggage allowance)
• Cooler Bag | We love a little cooler bag with ultra-thin ice packs , or if you need room for more bottles, this Medela cooler bag is a great option too.
• Formula Dispenser | For babies on a formula-fed diet, this little guy makes mixing bottles on the go so much easier .
• Tall Insulated Mug  | This simple, yet useful item is a must for an on-the-go bottle warmer. Just ask your airport coffee shop to fill it with piping hot water after you get through security, and then dip your bottle in to warm milk up in no time!
• Wipe-Clean Bib | Once baby is into solids, a wipe-and-reuse bib is awesome for on-the-go feedings.
• Travel Spoon | Our favorite is still this one that comes with a little case for easy storage, or try these squeeze pouch food adapter spoons .
• Snack Catcher | This travel container is perfect for little cereals you don’t want spilled all over.
• Squeeze Pouch Baby Food | If you’re feeding while traveling, skip the mess and squeeze it from  pouch form onto the spoon!
• Sippy Cup | We’ve tried many of the years, and these classic sippy cups from Munchkin or these sippy cups with weighted straws are both at the top of our list of favorites.
• Bottles Wipes | It’s tough to clean bottles, pacifiers, and spoons on-the-go, but  these bottle wipes are a safe and easy way to do it when you don’t have a sink handy.
• Travel High Chair | If you have the space for it, I can’t recommend this travel high chair enough, which folds down flat for packing. You could also opt for a cloth seat harness for an even lighter, more compact option.

Refillable Wipes Case | Dirty Diaper Baggies | Hand Sanitizer | Hand Sanitizing Wipes | Natural Bug Spray | Sunscreen Stick | Brush & Comb Set | GoToob+ Container | 2-in-1 Shampoo and Body Wash | First Aid Kit | Inflatable Bath Tub | Travel Size Pain Reliever | Travel Size Diaper Rash Cream | Travel Size Lotion | Travel Thermometer | Nail Clipper

Baby Packing List | Health & Bath

• Diapers | My rule of thumb is to pack a maximum of 8 diapers in the baby backpack and then buy more as soon as we arrive.
• Travel Wipes Case | These no-frills travel wipes cases have become my favorite over the years. Like diapers, I load one up with as many as I can fit and then buy more once we’ve arrived in our destination.
• Dirty Diaper Baggies | These dirty diaper baggies have also come in handy more times than I can count.
• Baby First Aid Kit | We keep a super simple kit that includes only the basics, like travel-size diaper rash cream , infant pain reliever , a few bandages , a small  thermometer , nail clipper , skin cream , etc. For all those other ‘what if’s’, we’ll buy it at our destination if needed.
• Prescription Medicines | Keep liquids in their original containers to avoid any issues with TSA, and for anything needing kept cold, we use our bottle cooler bag with ultra-thin ice packs .
• Sunscreen | These pocket sunscreen sticks are my absolute favorite because they’re easy to apply and take up so much less space.
• Mosquito Repellent | This natural one is our favorite. No chemicals or stink!
• Sanitizing Wipes | Especially good for wiping down a dirty airplane seat. I always keep a small travel-size pack in the diaper backpack.
• Hand Sanitizer | For obvious reasons, I always keep a travel-size hand sanitize r clipped to the backpack.
• Baby Shampoo & Body Wash | This 2-in-1 combo is our favorite, filled in a small GoToob+ travel container .
• Brush or Comb | Of course.
• Inflatable Travel Tub | Finally, this handy inflatable bath tub is an absolute favorite of ours and has gotten way more use than I ever thought it would. It’s definitely worth the purchase if you don’t have access to a tub or your baby is not sitting up on their own yet.

Read Next: Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling with a Baby

Portable Baby Gym (similar travel-friendly option here ) | Muslin Swaddle Blankets | Minkie Blanket | Baby Shusher | Clip-On Sound Machine | Pacifier Clips | Pacifiers | Peek-A-Boo Book | Stacking Cups | Musical Toy | Travel Crib Sheet

Baby Packing List | Play & Sleep

• Play Mat | We’ve stayed in lots of Airbnbs with hardwood floors and little comfortable space for baby to play. I so wish this fold-and-go baby gym was around when my kids were little (or this similar travel-friendly option ).
• Small Toys | I try to keep toys to a minimum, mostly because when you’re traveling, you’re out and about a lot anyway. Sassy brand makes a ton of my favorite simple baby toys, and I keep a little collection in one of these  mesh storage bags for easy packing.
• Pacifiers & Pacifier Clips | We find these pacifiers with these clips  to work great!
• Swaddle Blankets | Another must-pack item, Aden & Anais makes our favorite muslin swaddle blankets that double as a nursing cover or burp rag too.
• Crib Sheet | Whether you bring your own travel crib or use the hotels, we like to have our own crib sheet. This crib sheet that’s designed specifically for portable cribs has traveled with us again and again.
• White Noise Machine | We love our  Shusher and I swear it has made all the difference in helping our babies fall asleep in new places. This portable sound machine is another favorite among traveling moms.
• Favorite Blankie | Even though it can be a bit of a pain to travel with, having a soft baby blanket sure is nice for wrapping baby up on a cold airplane or having a familiar comfort from home.

FreshlyPicked Diaper Backpack | Passport Cover | Reusable Storage Bags | Dropper Stopper Tether (similar options here and here )

Baby Packing List |  Miscellaneous Must-Haves

• Diaper Backpack | A good diaper bag is essential, and I can’t recommend going with a backpack style enough! Having your hands free, especially in airports, is a necessity, and this FreshlyPicked diaper backpack has travelled with us all over the world!
• Birth Certificate or Passport | Did you know some airlines require you to show a birth certificate for your lap baby? To be safe, I always carry a copy in my wallet. And if you’re planning on traveling internationally, be sure to start the process for your baby’s passport as soon as possible.
• Dropper Stopper Baby Tether | From toys, to bottles, to snack cups, this is our favorite item for keeping all of our baby essentials from hitting the dirty airplane floor (similar options here and here )
• Plastic Storage Bags | Whether one-time use, or an  eco-friendly reusable , we’re always finding a need for the modest plastic storage bag. Whether for dirty clothes from a blow out incident, saving leftover snacks, keeping trinkets and keepsakes together, we’re always finding a new use for these.

Free Printable Checklist: Baby Travel Packing List!

It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve traveled with a baby, I’m always bound to forget something!

After many missed essentials, I finally created our own baby travel packing list ! We use it for every trip, and now you can use for yourself!

get it here!

Thanks for being a subscriber!

PS. You can also find this and all of our  printable family travel planning tools exclusively for subscribers in our free resource library .

What are your must-have packing list items when traveling with baby?

Wife and mom to two sassy little girls, Laura has been sharing her family's travels here on Our Next Adventure since 2016! Though lots has changed in both our family and the world of travel over the years, one thing remains: we love exploring new places together!

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What to Pack When Traveling With Baby

Fact-checking standards, latest update:, when can you travel with your baby, read this next, what to pack for your baby in a carry-on bag, what to pack in your baby's suitcase.

Happy travels!

What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff. WhatToExpect.com, Flying With a Baby? Here's What to Know Before You Go , September 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Do Babies Need Passports? , October 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Best Travel Toys for Babies , February 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Baby Products You Can Take on a Plane , September 2020. American Academy of Pediatrics, Flying with Baby: Parent FAQs , November 2019. American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It Safe for Families to Travel Now? , August 2021. American Academy of Pediatrics, Travel Safety Tips , August 2018.  American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It Safe for My Baby to Travel in a Car Seat a Few Hours at a Time? , August 2021. Transportation Security Administration, Traveling with Children . Federal Aviation Administration, Flying with Children , March 2021. Mayo Clinic, Is Air Travel Safe for an Infant? , October 2019.

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The ultimate packing list for traveling with a baby

Be prepared for just about everything with this tried and tested list. 

What to pack when traveling with a baby 

What to pack for your baby in a carry-on, free printable baby packing list.

Pre-kids, my husband and I were the people who'd show up at the airport 40 minutes before a flight, breeze through TSA pre-check, refill our water bottles, and walk right onto the plane with our carry-ons. 

After I had two children, this strategy pretty much went out the window. It didn't matter if we were going away for one night or two weeks: when we started traveling with a baby , we packed nearly everything we owned. It took four years and countless trips, but I've since perfected the art of flying with a baby . 

 Ahead, find out exactly what you'll need to pack for a baby.

To make the packing process easier on yourself, start with the BabyCenter-approved list below. You can print it out and make any changes as needed – such as eliminating items your baby has outgrown, adding new things they need, and making adjustments based on the length of your trip and the climate. 

It's helpful to start gathering supplies about a week in advance, laundering anything that needs to be cleaned (such as a pack 'n' play sheet), and shopping for used-up supplies (such as travel-sized toiletries). 

If you're looking for more guidance, get extra-detailed tips below.

Travel gear

To get your baby from point A to point B, you'll need a few basics. 

Travel stroller

If you're running late to catch a flight, it's much easier to push your baby in a lightweight umbrella stroller   than to carry them through a long terminal. Some travel strollers are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved and fold to fit in the carry-on bins on board, but most get gate-checked. Remember to bring the travel bag that came with it to protect the stroller from damage. 

Add bag hooks and a stroller caddy (the Colugo Opens a new window one even doubles as a fanny pack), and utilize the under-basket storage. Some travel systems allow you to hook the car seat on top of the stroller, meaning you have one less item to lug around.

While you can rent car seats at your destination, experts highly recommend bringing one with you. "Renting one often comes with challenges, including risking it not being appropriate for age, weight, or height," says Chandani Patel DeZure, M.D. , a pediatrician and BabyCenter Medical Advisor . "In addition, it is safest to fly on an airplane with a baby in a car seat – just make sure the car seat is FAA-approved."

You can also use it for car rides to and from the airport.

Car seat bag

One of the best perks of traveling with a car seat is using a car seat bag, a giant lightweight backpack that fits a car seat. Usually, you can stuff extras – such as a package of diapers, swim floaties, or other odd-shaped items – that won't neatly fit in a suitcase. 

Baby carrier

Parents swear by baby carriers for airport travel. I find them most effective for babies under 6 months . (After that, they get heavy!) Just don't baby wear on the plane during take-off or landing, per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 

The same sleep safety rules apply when you travel: Your baby should sleep alone in a crib or bassinet with nothing in it. Borrow a crib, bassinet, or pack 'n' play from your hotel, or try a reputable rental company (such as BabyQuip Opens a new window ). 

Consider bringing a SlumberPod Opens a new window , which is a blackout tent that goes over the pack 'n' play. If your baby sleeps best in dark spaces, you can also pack travel blackout curtains or tape black garbage bags over the windows.

Don't leave home without the sleep accessories your baby is familiar with, such as a white noise machine, sleep sack or swaddle, and pacifier.

Breastfeeding, pumping, formula bottles, and solids feeding supplies

Depending on how you're feeding your child, you'll need certain gear. (And if you have a newborn, you'll also want a burp cloth on hand.)

Breastfeeding

Pack a daytime nursing bra, sleeping bra or tank, travel breastfeeding pillow (Boppy makes an excellent one Opens a new window I used on a plane with my then 4-month-old), and any nipple skincare products you use (creams, butters, pads, and the like). 

You may also want to bring some sort of shawl to drape over the baby for in-public feeds. (This doubles as a way to keep both of you warm on chilly flights). 

I've also traveled with breast pumps – both the Spectra (an electric pump ) and the original Elvie (a wearable pump). If the latter works for you, I highly recommend it as I was able to use it during the flight . You'll also need pump cleaning supplies (such as a brush, soap, drying rack, and on-the-go cleaning wipes), a pumping bra , milk storage bags , and bottles to feed the baby. And don't forget to bring a charger for the pump!

If you plan to freeze any extra milk, bring a freezer bag and ice packs. Frozen breast milk is easier to get through security than fresh milk, which may require testing. Read more about breast milk travel regulations .

Formula feeding

Ensure you're packing enough formula for the trip by measuring what your baby eats in a day and then bringing extra. You'll want more than enough in case of travel delays or spills. For in-flight travel, you can pre-measure formula , and store it in a Ziploc bag or bottle. Bring filtered water, or buy it at the airport to make a bottle in a snap.

You'll also need to bring bottles (I typically bring two), nipples, and bottle washing supplies (like a brush, soap, and drying rack). If your baby prefers warmed milk, you can pack a thermos. For your travel day, fill it with hot water and use that to warm up a bottle on the go. There are also travel bottle warmers .

First and foremost, you'll need to bring enough food for the travel day. (Squeeze pouches are always a great idea.) Additionally, pack kids' silverware ( spoon and fork), grippy plates and bowls, a sippy cup for water, spill-proof snack cups, and food storage containers. We always travel with an easy-to-wipe silicone bib (which also can save an outfit if your baby is a messy eater).

Unless your baby is going to sit on your lap for every meal (which might be miserable for you), you'll need to rent a high chair or bring a fold-up one (like the Bombol pack-up booster Opens a new window , which packs flat).

The easiest way to get a high volume of diapers to your destination is to send a package to the hotel or cruise line in advance. Otherwise, throw a sleeve or two in the stroller bag or car seat bag (as diapers take up precious space in suitcases) and buy more when you get there. 

If you are bringing diapers with you, count how many diapers your baby typically uses in a day. Then add enough for at least one extra day, since you never know how a trip will pan out. Here are some quick calculations, but note that every child is different:

Newborns: eight to 12 diapers per day

2-3 months: eight to 10 diapers per day

3-6 months: seven to nine diapers per day

6-12 months: five to seven diapers per day

You'll also need wipes (throw extra packs in the car seat bag!), a travel changing mat (or disposable changing pads), diaper disposal bags, and diaper creams (Aquaphor, butt paste, etc.). Remember to bring swim diapers if you're going somewhere with a pool or beach .

Clothing, outerwear, and shoes

Little ones, especially newborns, go through multiple outfit changes a day thanks to spit-up, blowouts, and other unexpected events. Pack about two outfits per day and extra pajamas (as the same principles apply overnight). Don't forget socks, shoes if you have a walker, and layers. (Babies get cold and hot quickly.)

If you're packing for a cruise or headed somewhere tropical, toss in a swimsuit, hat, and UPF clothing. For cooler climates, make sure your baby has cozy sweaters, booties, and a warm hat.

Some hotel rooms only have showers, and if your baby typically washes in a tub, you'll need to get creative. We've used an oversized kitchen sink as a makeshift bathtub, and we've also rented  baby tubs or brought an inflatable one. Plan this in advance.

You'll also want to bring travel baby shampoo , body wash, and lotion – especially if your little one is sensitive to fragrance. We've also brought a baby towel and familiar bath toys to help our kids adjust to a new setting.

Health and safety

You won't regret traveling with a baby first aid kit. It can include band-aids, infant pain reliever, any other medicine or prescription ointments your baby uses, a thermometer, insect repellent, and baby-safe sunscreen. Pro tip: Throw in a few vomit bags for potential motion sickness incidents.

Consult with your child's pediatrician with any questions for this packing category.

Entertainment

What you pack comes down to parental and baby preferences. A tablet, preloaded with shows and movies, can be helpful to get through a flight or long car ride. If screentime is not on your agenda, try books, activity pads, coloring books (specifically the "magic marker" ones Opens a new window for less mess), and reusable stickers (great for sticking on plane or car windows). (Check out these kid-friendly  car games for more family fun.)

Once you're there, you might want to have tummy time mats , sand toys , or baby dolls on hand. You can have toys delivered to your hotel from services like BabyQuip Opens a new window , or pack a selection of "surprise" playthings yourself. And don't forget your baby's favorite stuffie or lovey!

You'll never be prepared for all situations, so level-set expectations, but you can still be very prepared for most! 

To start, your baby will need a passport if you're traveling internationally . 

Also, grab extra diapers (at least a day's worth), a pack of wipes, a travel diaper pad, and diaper creams for mid-flight diaper changes . Pack an extra change of clothes for both you and the baby, because if they're sitting on your lap, any mishaps (spit-up, throw-up, or massive poop) may end up on you, too. Plastic bags – to catch vomit or store stained clothes – also come in handy. 

Bring a full day's worth of food and some extra, as well as anything you need for breastfeeding and pumping. If your flight is delayed or you hit road trip traffic, you'll be so grateful to have a pump, milk bags, and a cooler on hand. (It's happened to me.) 

Add in the first aid kit and meds. Then stuff as many toys as you can in the extra space left.

Print or download our BabyCenter-approved checklist for easier packing when traveling with a baby.

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American Academy of Pediatrics. 2023. Tips for Traveling with Young Ones this Holiday Season. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/health--safety-tips/american-academy-of-pediatrics-tips-for-traveling-with-young-ones-this-holiday-season Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2023. Safe Sleep. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/safe-sleep/ Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Transportation Security Administration. Undated. Is Breast Milk, Formula and Juice exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule? https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/breast-milk-formula-and-juice-exempt-3-1-1-liquids-rule Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

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Baby Travel Essentials | A Helpful Guide to Packing for a Baby

• Post author By Melissa
• Post date April 30, 2024
• 1 Comment on Baby Travel Essentials | A Helpful Guide to Packing for a Baby

Prior to children, packing was a quick and easy process. We would throw a few clothes and the bare necessities in a carry-on and off we went. But packing for a baby is a bit more detailed.

Despite how small babies are, they require a lot of stuff! Thankfully, after a few rough trips without all the baby travel essentials, we learned from our mistakes. We have now practically perfected the art of packing as a family and know exactly what to pack for a baby and what to leave at home. 

You don’t need an exhaustive list of travel items for your baby, at least not for most trips. In fact, using this baby packing list, you can still manage to travel with only your carry-on luggage.

What to pack for a baby: the top baby travel essentials

When space is minimal, deciding what to pack for a baby (and what to go without) can be difficult. Having a packing list will ensure you don’t forget anything important when you’re traveling.

Keep reading for our complete list, or simply scroll to the bottom to get our free, downloadable and printable baby packing list.

What you pack may vary based on your destination and length of stay

When determining what to bring on a trip with a baby and what to leave behind, the main things to consider is how long you plan to be away from home and where you are going.

If traveling abroad with your baby, keep in mind not every country has the same products or safety devices for children you’ll find at home . However, if you are just traveling to another city a couple hours away, you’ll find all the same family-friendly conveniences to which you are likely accustomed. 

Still, there are a few key travel items you will definitely pack anytime you go anywhere with your baby.

Diapers, wipes, rash cream, baby wash, lotion, more diapers, sanitizer, a blanket, a pacifier, more diapers, baby food, formula, bottles, soap to wash the bottles, a kitchen sink to wash the bottles in… And that’s just for a trip to the grocery store! Kidding… Kinda.

As parents, you want to be prepared should anything happen, but you also want to be practical and travel as light as possible.

If flying with a baby , a flight delay or an unexpected, extended layover may throw you a curveball, and you don’t want to be stuck somewhere without the essential baby items needed for travel. 

That’s why we have created this handy packing list to make life easier for you. It includes all the baby travel essentials and nothing else. Most of these items are probably already in your diaper bag!

Note: This list covers the essential travel items for babies and toddlers up to about two years old. After the age of two, some of the items on this list may no longer be needed.

Complete list of travel baby essentials

We hope this baby packing checklist helps you prepare for your next trip, whether it’s to another country or to grandma’s house. Keep in mind, if you need to save space, some items, like diapers, can usually be purchased at your destination.

You never know what could happen. Layovers, cancellations, missed flights, or other unexpected changes can leave you stranded somewhere without access to a store to buy those items. And if something happens, you want to be prepared.

When it comes to the travel essentials for a baby, we recommend bringing at least enough for the amount of time you will be in transition to your destination plus three days . 

Even if you are planning to check luggage, some of these baby items should be carried in your baby carry-on bag so you will have them with you on the plane, or, even worse, if your luggage is lost. 

Diapers, wipes, and rash cream

If traveling for an extended stay, you likely won’t have to bring enough diapers and wipes for an entire trip. These items can usually be purchased at your destination.

However, as mentioned above, we recommend bringing at least three days’ worth of diapers and wipes in your carry-on bag. This typically means bringing a small package of disposable diapers and a pack of wipes with you.

Diapers can take up quite a bit of space in your bag. But don’t worry, most of the other items on this baby packing list are much smaller.

Cloth Diapering?

If you exclusively cloth diaper your baby, traveling can be a bit trickier. While we cloth diapered at home, we chose to use disposable diapers when traveling.

If bringing cloth diapers, you will still want to be sure to have enough diapers for three days without laundering. You will also want to make sure your hotel or Airbnb has self-laundering facilities.

All those cloth diapers can be extremely bulky, hence why we always opted for disposable diapers when traveling. 

Rash cream is a must whether you use disposable or cloth diapers. Even babies can get “traveler’s tummy”, especially older babies who are already eating solid foods.

Changes in a baby’s bowel movements when traveling are common and can lead to more frequent diaper changes and ultimately diaper rash.

To prevent or treat diaper rash, be sure to bring diaper rash cream with you on any trip.  This diaper rash cream is great for disposable or cloth diapered babies and is the only one we used.

Formula / Expressed Breast Milk / Baby Food Pouches

Unlike diapers and wipes, we do not recommend trying to buy baby formula or baby food at your destination.

Even if only traveling a few hours away, there is no guarantee your specific brand of formula or food will be available in stores at your destination. This is especially important if your baby must have a specialty formula or has a sensitive stomach.

You will want to bring more than enough formula for your entire trip, as your baby may require more than usual when traveling and you do NOT want to run out.

Note: If traveling to a country with unsafe tap water, only mix your formula with bottled water.

Exclusively breastfeeding?

Feeding on the go when traveling is even easier if you exclusively breastfeed your baby!  However, you may still want to bring some expressed breast milk and your breast pump with you. 

Whether you want to have an alcoholic beverage on a trip or simply want to give grandma the bonding experience of feeding the baby, there are several reasons why you may opt for a bottle instead of the boob.

Additionally, traveling can dehydrate you and throw your body out of whack. Your supply may temporarily slow, or your baby may need more milk than usual to combat dehydration. 

You may also get sick during your trip and not feel up to nursing, which means someone else may need to step in and give your baby a bottle. Like I said, there are a lot of reasons you may want to bring expressed breast milk or formula with you even if you exclusively nurse.

Be sure to check out our post on traveling with expressed breast milk, liquid formula, or baby food before your trip for our tips and airport security information.

When traveling with baby food, we recommend opting for baby food pouches instead of jars. They are perfect for planes or car rides with a baby since no spoon is required. Many babies can learn early on how to self-feed with a baby food pouch.

Bottles / Sippy Cups and Cleaning Tablets

Whether you formula feed, plan to give your baby a bottle of breast milk while traveling, or if your baby is old enough for water, you will want to bring some bottles or sippy cups with you on your trip.

Bring enough bottles or non-spillable sippy cups with you for a full day, and plan to wash them each night.

Note: If visiting a country where the tap water is not safe to drink, we recommend boiling water to wash your bottles or using bottled water. If staying in an apartment or Airbnb, boiling water won’t be difficult. In a hotel, you can typically ask for hot or boiled water from the concierge or room service to clean your baby’s items. Running them through a dishwasher on high heat will also sanitize bottles, if a dishwasher is an option. 

Most hotels and many Airbnbs do not provide dish soap. So, it is best to bring some with you since you will need it to sterilize your bottles each night.

You can bring a small reusable bottle filled with dish soap from home rather than buying a travel-sized bottle. In fact, we use reusable bottles for most of our baby products to avoid single use plastic. 

Another option is to purchase bottle sanitizing tablets for your trip. These are so convenient when you are on the go! 

ALSO READ: THE PROS AND CONS OF AIRBNBS VERSUS HOTELS

Extra Pacifiers 

If your baby uses one, a pacifier can be a lifesaver on a trip, particularly on flights when the cabin pressure can affect their ears during takeoff or descent. You will want to pack multiple pacifiers! Babies will spit them out in some of the grossest places.

We aren’t typically germophobic, but putting a pacifier back in our baby’s mouth after it has been on an airplane floor where thousands of people have walked or had their nasty feet is a no for me. 🤢 

You also don’t want to risk losing a pacifier during your travels and not having another one for the rest of your trip. Particularly if your baby is like ours was and would only take one specific type of pacifier.

If you’re wondering, this pacifier was the only one our baby would take. Even with multiple pacifiers on hand, it is a good idea to bring pacifier wipes , too, for those clean-on-the-go moments.

This may seem like an obvious item, but you want to make sure you bring enough clothes. 

Babies are messy and will likely require a clothing change at some point during the day. If staying in a place with a washer and dryer, you can get by with only 3-4 days’ worth of clothes (6-8 baby outfits). 

How many outfits should you bring when traveling with a baby? We recommend two baby outfits per day.

When our trips include multiple cities over several weeks, we always try to reserve a hotel or Airbnb with a washer dryer about every four days so we can do laundry and avoid having to bring a whole trip’s worth of clothing. 

You’ll also want to bring two pairs of pajamas , a cool pair and a warm pair. Pajamas can typically be worn multiple nights in a row, but you never know what the temperature or air conditioning will be like in your hotel room or apartment.

Note: be sure to pack at least one change of clothes in your personal item on the plane in case of an accident. If not, you may end up like us on our flight to Germany from the USA, with a baby in only a diaper for the whole flight. 😵 

Also read: 10 items to have in your baby’s carry-on bag

Socks and Shoes

Socks and shoes are a must for all babies when traveling, even if your baby isn’t yet an early walker. They will keep their feet warm and protect them. 

We recommend an easy and flexible pair of soft-soled shoes or moccasins for babies. As babies get closer to the toddler stage, they will likely need shoes with a firmer sole. 

Plan to bring a couple of pairs of shoes in case one gets dirty, wet, or lost. Our daughter once lost a shoe at Tikal National Park in Guatemala halfway through our trip. Luckily, we had another pair packed that she wore for the rest of the trip.

Wet bag 

You will need a way to store and carry dirty, soiled or wet clothes in your luggage while keeping them separate from clean clothes.  A sealable wet bag is not only convenient, but also a baby travel essential!

While a Ziploc bag works, wet bags are reusable and machine washable, so you can just throw it in the washing machine with the rest of your laundry rather than tossing it in the trash. 

Baby bath products 

Babies have sensitive skin, so soaps provided by hotels may be too harsh for their skin. Additionally, hotel soap and shampoo will burn if it gets in your baby’s eyes. You don’t have to go out and buy travel-sized bath products for your baby.

Once again, we use reusable bottles and fill them from our larger bottles of baby bath and lotion that we have at home.

Medicine and first aid kit 

We NEVER travel anymore without bringing medicine for usual ailments and some general first-aid items. We made this mistake once on a trip to Beijing, China and ended up in a panic when we had to find the appropriate medicine and dosing requirements for our baby when everything was written in Chinese!

Now, we bring along infant pain reliever, gas drops, congestion or allergy medicine, antiseptic cleansing wipes and Band-Aids on every trip. 

This kit has many of the baby medicine essentials mentioned above already included.

Infant Nail Clippers

If your trip is only a few days, you can probably skip this one and just clip your baby’s nails before you leave. But if you plan to travel for 9 days or more, it’s a good idea to pack your infant nail clippers .

Inevitably, on the trips we have failed to pack these, our baby ended up scratching her face at night. Those baby nails are sharp and grow quickly!

Nose Frida Nasal Aspirator

Air travel can cause babies to become extra congested. So can a change of environment, so you’ll want a way to help clean out your baby’s nose to help them breathe comfortably.

The Nose Frida , while it may seem disgusting, works better than any bulb aspirator on the market. Seriously, this is an essential baby item for travel or at home.

Sanitizing Wipes

While you could use a baby wipe to wipe down high-touch surfaces in airplanes, hotel rooms, or restaurants, they won’t do much in the way of sanitizing.

Nowadays, we are much more sensitive to germs when we travel. So, a pack of sanitizing wipes are always in our carry-on bag and daypack when traveling.

Sound Machine

When staying in a hotel or even an Airbnb apartment, you never quite know what you can expect.

Will the hotel be on a noisy street where the sound of car horns and revving engines continues through the night? Will there be loud guests in neighboring units who return to their room at 3am? You never know until you are there, so you want to be prepared so your baby can sleep soundly.

For this reason, a small, compact sound machine is a must. It will help your baby sleep better in a hotel .  

Crib Sheet and Comfort Item 

Along the same lines of improving your baby’s sleep, we recommend bringing a crib sheet or pack n play sheet from home, if you plan to use the hotel crib or pack n play provided by the place in which you are staying.

This extra step will bring the smell and comfort of home with you on your trip, giving your baby the feeling of familiarity in a new environment. If your baby has a special blanket or comfort item, like a lovey, you will want to pack that, as well.

Travel already disrupts a baby’s sleeping pattern, especially if you’re battling baby jet lag , so anything you can do to emulate home will help your little one sleep better in a new environment.

Swaddle Blanket

Whether your baby sleeps swaddled or not, a lightweight, muslin swaddle blanket is one of those travel baby essentials because of its versatility. They make for great covers when nursing on a plane or in public.

Slightly larger than a typical receiving blanket, swaddles are also great to lay out on an airport floor to create a little play area for your baby or to cover a changing table or other area for diaper changes.

Plus, the light, breathable fabric is great even in hot weather climates.

Travel Toys and Books

Any time you are flying with a baby or flying with a toddler you will want to make sure to have plenty of entertainment on the plane. Be sure to pack a few of your baby’s favorite toys or books.

We also like to bring at least one new travel toy and introduce it on the flight as a new toy tends to keep a baby’s interest longer.

Baby Carrier

While some might consider a baby carrier as “travel gear” rather than a baby “travel essential”, after countless trips with a baby, we will argue a baby carrier is a must! Strollers can be bulky, and not all streets or places are stroller friendly.

But a baby carrier, like the Ergobaby 360 , keeps your baby comfortably and safely close to you while allowing you the convenience of being hands-free while you sight-see.

Also read: best baby carriers for travel 

Your Camera! 

OK, so this one is actually for you rather than your baby, and it is probably a no-brainer. But you will look back and cherish every trip with your baby forever, so pictures of your family travels are priceless.

Travel gear to pack for a baby

Depending on where you are going you may want to consider bringing along travel gear. I don’t necessarily consider all of these baby travel essentials, as many of them can be left behind.

You can often get by without things like a travel crib, portable highchair, collapsible travel stroller or even a car seat. Hotels and rental car companies often provide cribs and car seats, and if you bring a baby carrier, which we do consider essential, you won’t need a stroller. 

Travel gear may be beneficial if you’ll be staying somewhere for an extended amount of time or traveling to a destination where these things are not provided, but most of the time you can get by without them. 

If you do need to bring travel gear with you, we do have links to our recommended products below. 

• Travel crib
• Travel stroller
• Portable high chair
• Travel car seat

How to pack for a baby

It takes days of thoughtful planning, list making, and even shopping to pack for the tiniest human in our household. That’s why we did a lot of the work for you by making this list! 

Depending on the season, you can often pack everything for you and your baby in just a small rolling suitcase or a large travel backpack . In winter, packing requires a bit more work (and more bulky stuff), especially if packing for a ski trip .

Besides your baby’s daily clothes and essentials listed above, in winter you have to bring boots, gloves, hats, and coats. All that extra stuff takes up a lot of room in a suitcase! In those instances, you likely will need to bring a larger rolling duffel bag or full-size suitcase and check your luggage.

There are also a unique set of travel necessities for your baby if planning a beach vacation. Things like sunscreen and swim diapers would be considered beach essentials.

See our complete list of beach essentials for baby here .

Packing tips to travel light with your baby travel essentials

Our years of backpacking prior to having a baby made us extremely organized packers. Here are a few tips we’ve learned over the years to save space and make packing for a baby easier.

Roll clothes instead of fold them

With baby clothes, we like to roll entire baby outfits (pants and shirt) together. Baby outfits are much smaller and compact, so they roll nicely as a set.

This not only saves room, but it makes selecting an outfit each day easier.

Stuff baby socks or other small items inside adult shoes

Small items like baby socks can be stuffed inside any adult shoes packed in your suitcase to save room. 

Invest in packing cubes 

We were packing cube skeptics for many years. But after we had a baby and began sharing a suitcase, packing cubes became a lifesaver!

Packing cubes help everything stay organized in our luggage and keep our clothes separate from baby clothes.

This packing cube set comes with a laundry bag and a shoe bag to keep everything organized and CLEAN!

Stay in an apartment with a washing machine

We mentioned this above, but it bears repeating. If you want to travel light with a baby and only the baby travel essentials, you will want to stay in a place with a washing machine at least every 4 days.

This will greatly cut down on the number of clothes you have to bring, not only for your baby, but for yourself, too! 

Also read: Apartments vs. Hotels – the pros and cons of each for family travel

Shop like a local

Now that we travel with a tiny human in tow, one of our first stops on any trip is to a general store or market so we can buy bulky items like diapers.

We often replenish baby snacks and even buy food to make for dinner at the apartment or hotel, for those days our baby needs to go to bed early.

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Have you traveled with your baby yet? If so, what baby travel essentials would you add to this packing list for babies? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below.

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1 comment on “Baby Travel Essentials | A Helpful Guide to Packing for a Baby”

You should check out the marpac hushh (I didn’t misspell that) sound machine. It’s super compact! I can’t sleep without one and use their giant one at home. I was so excited when they came out with the compact one. It’s amazing and loud while fitting in my hand.

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Packing Lists , Product Reviews

10 baby travel essentials for every journey + baby packing checklist.

Items you absolutely need if you’re traveling with a baby

Are you new parents about to undertake your first trip with a baby?

Congratulations! Welcome to the scary but exciting world of family travel .

The good news is infants can actually make quite good travel companions. They complain and move about far less than toddlers , they don’t need their own full-size bed, and you don’t need to buy a separate plane ticket!

The bad news, I bet it’s a little daunting  thinking about all the baby travel gear you need to pack  

What if I forget something? What are the most important things to buy? What’s a complete waste of money?

After traveling extensively with three babies over a decade, we’ve learned a thing or two about packing for babies and what baby items are really useful to bring with you when it comes to the crunch (and what we’d leave at home).  

We have an absolute bumper baby travel checklist here covering everything you need. However, for this baby essentials guide, we wanted to help you narrow it down with the top 10 essentials for traveling with a baby.

This post is part of our Baby Travel Advice series

If your child is slightly older, pop on over to our Toddler Travel Essentials page.

10 Baby Travel Essentials For Every Type of Journey 

Baby travel essential #1: a baby carrier.

Being able to walk hands-free through crowds, upstairs, on and off public transport is a vital part of traveling with a baby, so without a doubt, a baby carrier tops our list as the most essential baby travel item .

After trying several different types, our favorite brand has been Ergobaby. As well as front wearing from newborn (with an insert), it can be used as a back carrier for years to come, right through the toddler years (we discuss our favorite toddler carriers here).

Since we first purchased our first Ergobaby back in 2012, you can now also get the Ergo 360 model that allows baby to be forward-facing on the front. It’s by far the most versatile and comfortable carrier for a long-term investment.

Ergo Baby Omni

Ergo Baby Insert

Ergo 360 Model

TIP: There are so many things to consider when investing in a baby carrier that will become a travelling essential for years.  From our experience, the newborn insert for the Ergo wasn’t brilliant, for a newborn I would still recommend something like a Boba Wrap where they can be held in close to you (practice, practice, practice using these at home with some help though before heading into the big wide world and first trying it on at the airport!!!). If you will be heading to the beach or a resort, consider a waterproof baby sling .

I would also only consider a more heavy-duty child carrier like the popular Deuter Kid Comfort child carrier backpack beyond 12 months old, and only if you do a lot of walking/hiking .  

The Ergobaby will comfortably see you through for occasional and urban use for several years. (And for the really brave – you CAN wear the Ergo on your back with a toddler with a newborn wrapped on the front – sorry we never got a photo of this in action!!).

Baby Travel Essential #2: A Reliable Travel System

Oh, how we’ve agonized for years on finding “the right one” – I bet this will be one of the biggest baby purchasing decisions you and your partner will make and the one you’ll agonize and argue over the most – after all, it’s a lot of money but so important for everyday life AND travel .

I first stated it here – and many times again – you will end up owning multiple strollers!!! No one stroller will fit all your needs from birth to toddler.

We got to baby #3 before discovering ultra-compact strollers for travel. They are so small they can come all the way onto the plane with you and fold into the overhead bin.

If you are frequent flyers, honestly, I would invest in this from the start. There are now multiple manufacturers targeting this market, but these three have been around the longest, and we’d say they are the most reliable as they can be used from newborn (with car seat attachments/adaptor kits)

• Mountain Buggy Nano V3

• Baby Jogger City Tour 2

• Baby Zen Yoyo + Newborn Pack

If you are looking for twins or children close in age, check out this selection of lightweight double strollers perfect for travel. The only one that you can adapt from newborn in this category at present is the Mountain Buggy Duo.

RELATED POST: How to select the best travel stroller

Baby travel essential #3: infant capsule / infant car seat.

So seeing as we’ve talked about travel systems, the infant capsule is essential to this. Our favorite for years has been the Maxi Cosi Infant Car Seat .

We love that it’s such a well-known brand that all infant travel systems we know can adapt to fit the Maxi Cosi. There’s a huge range of add-ons and accessories that are purpose-made to fit.  

When traveling with an infant, being able to easily move from one transportation to the next with baby easily tucked in is great!

If you think you’ll frequently be flying with a baby, check out this detailed guide to infant car seats suitable for airplanes.

Baby Travel Essential #4: Nursing Cover

Without a doubt, one of my personal, most loved possessions over the years has been my Bebe au Lait nursing cover . Available in lots of amazing colors and patterns, but I liked my sophisticated and subtle black, it’s allowed me to breastfeed with confidence out in public all over the world.

You can see our complete guide to picking the best nursing cover to suit you here

TIP: Don’t forget when your travelling to pack extra breast pads, even if you don’t normally leak, the impact of time change and jet lag can throw your natural feeding cycles out of rhythm and lead to leaky boobs on the move!

Baby Travel Essential # 5: SnoozeShade

I’ve seen many wonderful and innovative products come up even in the last few years since I’ve become a mum – a lot of entrepreneurial mommies out there trying to solve our parenting problems!  – but one of the best I’ve seen is the SnoozeShade .  

I’ve seen some lovely hand-designed cotton ones, too (far better than my effort throwing a muslin over the pram with a bulldog clip), but this one built with breathable mesh fabric that also blocks out UV rays is a real winner and a must for your travel gear.

But do check out some newer alternatives too, which may suit your style – wearable nursing covers that can also double as a sunshade. What do you think?

Yoofoss Nursing Cover Breastfeeding Scarf

Car Seat Canopy Breastfeeding Cover

Pobi Baby Car Seat Covers and Nursing Cover

RELATED POST: The best infant capsule covers for all seasons

Baby travel essential #6: stroller hooks & organizers.

While we’re still on stroller essentials, where or where would we be without a Mommy Hook?! (Sorry, Dad, you can use it too, though!)

Seriously, far from being gimmicky, this is one of the handiest investments you can make. Hanging bags, toys, shopping off your stroller; definitely get this one on your baby shower list, you won’t regret it!!

There are several similar brands available, all do roughly the same job. Just be careful not to overload the back of a stroller or it becomes liable to tipping over.

Baby Uma Stroller Hooks

Baby Stroller Hooks Clips

We’d also add to this a stroller organizer. Far from being gimmicky, a stroller organizer will help you keep all your small essential items, from sippy cups and water bottles to your water wipes, in easy reach.

Just be careful if you need to fold the stroller up so everything doesn’t fall out. Now my kids are a bit older, our stroller has become just as useful as the communal family dumping ground as a stroller!

Baby Travel Essential # 7: Portable Travel Cot 

Forget bulky play n play systems unless weight and size are no object; these old-style “travel cots” are out, and the newer, more versatile Traveller-style cots and pop-up pods are in!  

It depends on how long you want your product to last you and what sort of traveling you do. We love the KidCo Peapod from newborn (or Peapod Plus from 6 months), which is like a canopy tent.

However, we later discovered the Phil & Teds Traveller Cot and this would be our top choice to last you through to the toddler years as well – super lightweight, though it does involve a few construction skills. If you’re using it outside, don’t forget your bassinet sunshade.

Simply put, we never rely on our hotel room or holiday rental to have the appropriate gear. We always got peace of mind bringing our own, even if it takes up a little extra space in our packing to know our totw would get a good night’s sleep.

You can see our full comparison guide on travel cots and portable bassinets here, or check out some of these designs and options:

Guava Lotus Travel Crib

Munchkin Brica Baby Travel Pod

RELATED POST: Sleeping on the go and dealing with jet lag

Baby travel essential #8: quick diaper change kit.

If you don’t already have an easy-grab diaper/nappy change kit, it’s time to invest!

Taking an entire diaper bag into an airplane toilet is cumbersome and unnecessarily bulky – not to mention some of the weird and wonderful places you might find yourself needing to squat for diaper changes during a traveling adventure!

We have used and loved our Skip Hop Portable Changing Mat . Being small but all-in-one means we can easily swap it from a diaper bag to carry-on bag, or throw it under the stroller for use at home or away.  

You can still fit your travel-sized ‘bits’ like a pocket diaper cream, disposal sacks, wipes, and a little sanitizer into the pockets.

Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment

Munchkin® Arm and Hammer Diaper Bag

Go on the Go Flushable Wet Wipes

Moved on a stage with older kids? If you’re approaching potty training, check out this great post for tips dealing with this difficult stage on the move and our detailed guide to picking out portable potties !

Baby Travel Essential #9: Large Muslin Cloths

Over the years, these aden + anais extra-large muslin swaddles have become a much-beloved item (yes, even with bigger kids, too!). They are so immensely versatile from cleaning up spills to swaddling, emergency sun cover or breastfeeding cover, quick blanket for on a lawn – we’ve used them for just about everything! They are undoubtedly one of the top baby travel essentials you’ll want on your list.

Being so light and thin they are especially good for warmer climates  and very easy to rinse and dry if they do get dirty. You MUST have some of these in your travel bag – and I bet you will for years to come!

Baby Travel Essential #10:  Feeding Essentials

If you are bottle-feeding or weaning older babies, a pre-filled formula container should be amongst your baby travel items.

A Philips AVENT dispenser has been our product of choice for years, as well as a silicone bib for solid food – they’re quick and easy to wipe clean – and an easy stack snack container .

Note: Always check the latest airline regulations for the country you are flying from for liquid rules.  At the time of publishing this post this is the latest TSA advice:

“Formula, breast milk and juice in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 millilitres are allowed in carry-on baggage and do need to not fit within a quart-sized bag. Separate formula, breast milk and juice from other liquids, gels and aerosols limited to 3.4 ounces.  Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk and juice are allowed in carry-on. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above. You may also bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred and processed baby food in carry-on baggage. These items may be subject to additional screening.” Transport Security Administration

We have a more detailed guide about transporting milk which can be found here , along with a guide to breastmilk cooler bags or check out this complete guide to travelling with bottles.

And 5 more “nice to have” baby items we’ve loved when on the move

Portable baby monitor.

While this is not a baby travel essential in every situation as it does significantly add weight and space, if you’ll be staying anywhere where perhaps the baby is out of immediate earshot, we recommend a portable baby monitor. Some even come with a portable sound machine which some children need.

We have a complete review of leading baby monitors for different travel situations over here.

Infant Sunglasses

OK, I can hear some of you mocking me from here, but first-timers do stick with me!  A lot of babies do hate them and will pull them off immediately, but for the record, my number 3 DIDN’T (well up to about 7 months old) . If you’re heading anywhere hot and sunny, do give them a try.

Worth it if you can make them work, but I’m afraid there’s no magic way to know if they’ll take to them without trial and error. Luckily, they are relatively inexpensive so worth the experiment.

Why not try these highly recommended ro•sham•bo baby sunglasses?

Baby Beach Shade

If you’ve never taken   a baby to the beach before – you’ve been warned!! SAND.GETS.EVERYWHERE! I can’t promise these little beauties will solve all your sand issues, but they are a great way for babies to sit and play with less sand while being protected from the sun.

I’d say these are perfect from approximately five months old (or sitting upright) through to 12 months, or walking – when they have no intentions of staying still!  One with an easy fold frame and carry case is a must.

You can catch our complete guide to baby beach shades here

Toy Teethers & Pacifier Clips

How often have you found yourself searching for dropped baby items on the floor? Keeping the grub and grime away, a pacifier clip or toy teether will keep these small items from constantly falling to the floor. They are inexpensive and easy items to include on your family vacation packing list.

Baby Sleep Sacks

Another baby travel essential that we couldn’t have lived without was baby sleep sacks. They assist with seamlessly transferring a sleeping bub from one form of transportation to another without needing to redress or re-wrap them.

Leading brands will come with holes cut in for your car seat harnesses, or move them from stroller to cot. They come in several different weights for hot and cold climates.

Best of the rest – download your baby packing list now!

This baby travel essentials list is not exhaustive! From small toys to essential clothing items in different climates, there are undoubtedly a lot of scenarios you need to consider when traveling with a baby.

The most important thing to remember is that babies are everywhere! Wherever you are traveling to, you will almost certainly find baby supply shops for anything you’ve forgotten.

Pop over to our ultimate baby travel checklist here , or join our online community and immediately get your hands on the printable PDF version of our baby travel checklist – plus our complete range of packing lists for every type of family travel.

Note we will ask you to sign up to our mailing list when downloading the checklist, but if you decide it’s not for you, you can unsubscribe at any time.

More Baby Travel Essentials

We have several more detailed reviews and advice posts covering you through the years of baby travel. Why not pop on over and read next:

• Your first time flying with a baby ; Everything you need to know, from booking seats to dealing with a baby on board long-haul flights.
• Hiking with a baby – essential baby gear for hiking before you fit the trails
• What to pack in a first aid kit when traveling with a baby and young children
• Summer sun protection for infants – dealing with the sun and heat on a family vacation
• Ideal travel toys for infants under 18 months . Keeping it simple, what are the best baby toys for airplanes and long journeys?
• Is it worth packing a portable high chair ? We look at the pros and cons of this extra piece of baby gear and compare leading brands.

Our complete catalogue of baby advice articles can be found here

Bookmark this page now or save it to pinterest for later.

Why not check out our pregnancy and baby Pinterest board

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission – at absolutely no extra cost to you. You can read our  full disclosure policy  here.

© Our Globetrotters

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5 thoughts on “ 10 Baby Travel Essentials For Every Journey + Baby Packing Checklist ”

Great list!! All these products are essential if you’re planning to travel with a baby. Keep blogging I’d love to read more from you!!

This is fabulous. very helpful information for new mums like me.. we are heading to Canada with the baby its his first flight so i need all of this information & the comfy that he can make it cross-country without us losing our minds. thanks for sharing..

While we are beyond the baby stage in our family, this is a well thought out list for those entering into it!

Great list! Those muslin swaddle blankets are seriously the best, and I’m definitely going to need one of those beach shades! Another thing that I always bring is a portable sound machine. My son and I are both really light sleepers, so the sound machine is a life saver when we’re sharing the same space. It also blocks out misc. hotel noise too!

Yes its important to still bring those little extras that help with sleep too.. for several years we’ve taken our Groclocks to help kids work out day vs night – though check wattage if taking anything electronic!!!

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9 Baby Travel Essentials (+ Baby Packing List!)

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Planning to travel with a baby? That first trip with a baby can be a little overwhelming with unknowns of what to pack and the logistics of figuring out how to get it all to your destination.  To help make the process a little easier (and think about what baby registry items you need for those future vacations) we put together a list of baby travel essentials. While this list isn’t too much different from our toddler travel essentials , there are some smaller items that are important to make your trip as seamless as possible.

Keep reading for our baby travel must-haves and a packing list for babies at the end!

Travel Crib and/or Bassinet

Sleep is so important to babies whether at home or away, and having a good travel crib is one of the top travel essentials for baby. Not sure what to look for in a baby travel crib? The best baby travel cribs are usually lightweight and easy to set up. Our best recommendations for a travel crib for babies are listed below.

• A regular  pack ‘n play  with a bassinet is a less expensive option for a baby travel crib. They can sometimes be a little too heavy and cumbersome to travel with, but you can typically request a pack ‘n play at your hotel. There’s also a standard pack ‘n play without the bassinet or a deluxe pack ‘n play that includes a travel bassinet.
• For a lightweight travel crib that’s easy to set up and put way,  this  portable crib is awesome. It has a comfortable memory foam mattress and a zipper on the side to make it easier to get infants in and out.
• When flying with a baby to your destination,  this lightweight works well. It can take a few more minutes to set up than other options, but it fits easily in a regular suitcase. ( This  option is also a less expensive alternative to the Phil and Ted’s travel crib.)
• This  travel crib is another great option that we have used as well. It’s a little more expensive than the other options listed, but it’s a travel crib with a bassinet and a removeable changing table as well.

You can also rent a full size crib from BabyQuip here and have it delivered to your destination.

Pro Tip: As your baby gets older, consider using a Snoozeshade or or Slumberpod blackout crib cover. They make the crib dark and baby can’t see you when sharing a room!)

Travel Bassinet

If you’re traveling with a newborn or younger baby, you may want to consider a baby travel bassinet that you can use both at home and when traveling.  We’ve included some of the best options for a portable bassinet for travel below.

• This portable bassinet is great for both at home or travel. It’s also large enough for most babies to use up to 6 months or older. (We used it for both of our kiddos for the first four months and traveled often with it.)
• This super lightweight travel bassinet is great to take outside or anywhere you go. 
• This baby travel bassinet with a sunshade that doubles as a small beach tent for babies as well. (It’s a great option for camping with babies too!)
• You can find another travel bassinet with a cover to use both at home and for travel here . (Full disclosure, this is the only one we haven’t personally used.)

Travel Stroller For Babies

A baby travel stroller is usually more lightweight and easy to fold up than a traditional travel system. Anything that minimizes the weight and amount of stuff you have will make your life easier, making this one of our top must have items for traveling with a baby. When searching for the best baby travel stroller, be sure to look for something with adequate sunshade that reclines easily for naps on the go. Some of the best baby travel strollers for infants through toddlers are listed below.

• YoYo Babyzen is lightweight at about 14 lbs, has a one handed fold and can be used from birth up to 40 lbs. One of the major downsides of the YoYo Babyzen is the high price point compared to other travel strollers.
• GB Pockit+ is a very lightweight travel stroller that folds up small to fit in an overhead bin on airplanes. 
• Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller is another one of the best travel strollers compatible with an infant car seat, and it also has a lie flat option with a “cocoon” cushion. It weighs about 13 lbs and can be used for kids up to 44 lbs. 
• Zoe Traveler stroller is only 11 lbs and can be used for babies 3+ months up to 45 lbs. It also folds up small and can be brought as a carry-on backpack on planes. Zoe also makes one of the lightest double strollers for travel as well. (For $20 off, use my Zoe stroller referral link here .)
• Summer Infant 3D Light is a more affordable (but still very functional) travel stroller that can be used from 6 months up to 50 lbs. The only downside is that it can’t be used for newborns and is not car seat compatible. 

Additional Tips for Choosing a Travel Stroller

• Be sure to check minimum age recommendations and stroller compatibility with an infant car to ensure it meets your needs. Some travel strollers can be used from birth on, and others have a minimum age requirement of 6+ months. 
• A jogging stroller is another option if you’re planning to bring it on the beach or hiking trails. (The downside is that it’s very heavy.) We’ve also used our Baby Jogger City Select Single to Double Stroller for travel, but the downside is that it’s heavy and the seats have to be taken out to fold it up.
• If you want a for a double travel stroller for twins or more than one child, side by side strollers are usually the easiest to navigate while traveling. (And they fold up in one piece.) The Zoe double stroller or Summer Infant double stroller are two great options.
• A car seat frame is an inexpensive alternative if you’re not planning to do a ton of walking. We’ve used this infant car seat stroller frame with both kids over the years. It was definitely one of the best baby registry items we received for everyday use and travel. 

Travel High Chair

A travel high chair is another one of the best baby travel items to have.  While it may not always be necessary if you’re just eating at restaurants, it’s especially useful if you’re staying at a vacation home, visiting family or spending time outdoors. 

We use this portable high chair on a regular basis, and we keep it in our car for visiting friends or going to some of our favorite kid-friendly breweries. (We also use it at home when eating outside!) While it’s perfect for road trips, it’s a little too bulky to take on flights with a baby.

We also use this clip-on high chair at our home on a daily basis. It only weighs 3 pounds, making it a great baby travel high chair for flying to your destination. The only downside is that it doesn’t work with tables that have a “lip” on them, so you may want to check before arriving at your destination. 

• Disposable Placemats

While this isn’t one of the pricier baby travel products mentioned above, disposable placements are one of the best baby travel essentials. Most restaurants only offer breakable plates or paper placemats that babies can easily throw. These adhesive placemats stick right on the table and you throw them away after your meal, making cleanup a breeze. (Both of our kids also had a weird habit of wanting to chew on tables when they were teething. So this also covers the end of the table up to prevent extra spreading of germs!)

Baby Carrier

A baby carrier is another one of our top travel must haves for baby. If you want a baby carrier for travel from infant to toddler ages, a soft structured baby carrier like this one is the most versatile we’ve used. Whether you want a carrier for hikes with a baby or something to use on terrain that a stroller can’t reach, it’s perfect for either. It has an infant insert, and we’ve used it as a backpack style toddler carrier as well. 

A few options for baby carriers for travel (or everyday use) include:

• Solly Baby Wrap : Fabric baby wrap that’s especially great for baby wearing in the airport. The Moby baby carrier is a similar alternative.
• ErgoBaby 360 : All position baby carrier that’s super versatile from newborns to toddlers.
• LILLEBaby : Another baby carrier with multiple positions from babies to toddlers.

Diaper Bag For Travel

Whether you’re navigating the airport or the amusement park, the best baby travel bag is typically a hands-free diaper backpack. (And fortunately backpack style diaper bags are super popular right now, so there are many options to choose from!) When searching for the best travel diaper bag, be sure to look for one that comes with a changing pad, a bottle cooler (or space for bottles) and several compartments for storing necessary items in a baby carry-on like snacks and toys. 

We have a faux leather diaper backpack similar to this one and have also used our standard travel backpack before.

Travel Bottle Washing Set

You’re bound to be washing bottles or pump parts during your vacation with a baby. (Whether they’re breastfed or bottle fed!) This travel bottle washing set is one of the best baby travel items. It includes a drying rack, and bottle brush in a compact box that closes. It also makes a unique baby registry idea if you’re looking for items the mom to be may not have thought of. 

Pro Tip: Be sure to also bring a small travel bottle of dish detergent with you. We just use reusable travel toiletry bottles and fill them up with our standard free and clear dish soap.

• Sound Machine

Aside from a good travel crib, a sound machine is another item on our list of travel essentials with baby that helps the whole family sleep. Sound machines help keep their routine consistent at home and away, and they drown out noises if you’re sharing a room with a baby on vacation. There are a variety of options for baby sound machines depending on how much room you have in your luggage. 

• A standard baby sound machine that’s lightweight and still easy to pack without taking up too much space. (We use this portable sound machine at home and away.) 
• A small travel sound machine for a stroller or on-the-go is another option. We have this one . 
• There are also several sound machine apps available on your phone. We use the Guva free sound machine app for babies that also allows you to record a sound as well. (I even recorded myself shushing to help our second child fall asleep for naps.)

Baby Toys and Teethers

Babies are constantly chewing and dropping things.  So we recommend a variety of baby travel toys and teethers for your trip with a baby. A few baby travel items we don’t leave home without include:

• A multi-sensory baby toy that can be clipped on a stroller or car seat.
• Several teethers and different pacifiers (if your baby uses one.)
• A lovey or stuffed animal that your baby uses for comfort.
• A simple, small toy like these stacking cups to use at your destination.
• An interactive book with flaps or different textures. (Shop my Usborne Books & More storefront for ideas!)

Pro tip: Bring a Ziploc bag for dirty toys that need to be cleaned at your destination. (Especially if you’re traveling with a baby on an airplane and they drop toys.)

Related Post: 10 Baby & Toddler Travel Toys Under $10

Baby Packing List For Vacation: More Must Haves for Traveling with a Baby

Traveling with babies usually requires so much stuff. Much of which you’re probably not used to bringing if you’re new to traveling with kids. We recommend having a standard baby packing list that you can use for each vacation with a baby. (In addition to your standard diaper bag of course!)

This packing list for baby includes several items we (usually) don’t leave home without.

Clothing Items*

• Outfit for each day along with extra onesies
• Pajamas/ sleepers (bring extra for younger babies)
• Socks and shoes
• Swimsuits/ swim diapers (for the pool or beach with a baby )
• Baby hat- beach hat, baseball hat or winter hat

*Clothing needs vary depending on weather and activities.

Linens 

• Sleep Sack or Swaddles
• Light blankets (we love these muslin blankets)
• Crib sheets
• Baby towels/ washcloths

Baby Equipment for Travel**

• Travel Crib
• Portable High Chair
• Car Seat (with a car seat bag if you’re flying)
• Blowup baby bathtub (If a tub isn’t available at your destination)

**Some baby equipment may be available at your destination. Be sure to check first. You can also rent baby equipment from BabyQuip and have it dropped off at your destination.

Miscellaneous Items

• Diapers 
• Baby Wipes (bring extra for messes)
• Pacifiers & Teethers
• Baby Toys & Books
• Bottles and/or sippy cups
• Bottle washing set +dish soap
• Breast pump + parts
• Baby monitor
• Ziploc bags
• Car window blackout curtains for road trips with baby  
• Kindle or iPad with rubber case (if you do screen time)

Baby Toiletry Bag

• Baby shampoo
• Infant Tylenol/ Ibuprofen
• Diaper cream
• Baby lotion
• Small amount of soap for handwashing soiled clothing

Documents for Traveling With a Baby

• Insurance card
• Passport (for international travel with a baby)
• Copy of baby’s birth certificate (if you’re flying)

Pro Tip: If you’re flying to your destination, share a large suitcase with your baby using packing cubes . (This will save money on fees and also minimize the number of items you’re traveling with.) You can also ship diapers/ wipes to your destination or purchase them there.

Related Posts:

• Packing Tips and Beach Essentials for Baby
• Flying With a Baby: Tips for Before, During and After Your Flight
• Road Trip With a Baby: How to Survive Long Drives with Baby
• 5 Must Have Travel Essentials for Toddlers
• Intro to Traveling With a Baby

Do you have any must-have baby travel items that aren’t on this list?  Please share in the comments if you have any favorite baby travel products to add!

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Helping you to create and organise travel adventures, even with small kids.

The only baby travel essentials packing list you need

Last Updated on 02/10/2023 by Clotilde Passalacqua

A list of baby travel essentials to check before each departure will make your travels more efficient and relaxing. When traveling you don’t necessarily need much more baby travel gear than you normally use in your daily routine, but you do need the right things. In some cases, it is enough to take with you what you already have. In others, it may be more convenient to have lighter, more compact, and multi-functional alternatives. If you plan to travel a lot, then from your child’s birth you can consider purchasing essential items with these characteristics in order to avoid double spending.

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through the links on this page, at no cost to you .

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS WITH BABY

In this baby packing list, you will find everything you need to consider before leaving for a trip. The list is divided into topics (sleeping, flying, feeding…) but obviously, some accessories are indispensable in different situations. At the end of the travel essentials for the baby list, there are some considerations regarding the items that you already normally carry with you in the nappy bag. I will also add them to the checklist you can download here (just so everything is listed in one place). It is possible that in some cases there are valid alternatives with products you have at home, in which case I will add it as a suggestion. Remember however that if you forget something then in most cases you can buy it on the spot. Nobody wants to spend money unnecessarily or waste time trying to decipher information in another language, but this is the worst that can happen. OUR EXPERIENCE: What to pack when traveling with a baby can be overwhelming, every new parent tends to over-pack, and we were the same. Then with a little practice, you will learn to be more selective, the babies will grow up, and you can return to minimalist travel packing. Below you can compare the photo of one of our very first trips with Liam and Santiago at around 6 months, and a recent one at 4 years. Both sets of luggage cover a stay of 8-9 days. You are allowed to laugh !!!! You can also check how to save hundreds packing just small cabin bags , even when fly European low cost airlines! Here you can also check a review of the latest backpack we use to travel, Cabin Zero Classic backpack.

ARE YOU IN A HURRY? Click here to download a printable checklist of the baby travel essentials!

CHECKLIST FOR TRAVELING WITH BABY

Below is a snapshot of all the baby travel must haves. Then a detailed analysis. The baby travel items are divided in groups for an easy read . For each item you will have a summary about essentiality, possible alternatives, and lifespan.

• Travel stroller
• Airline Bassinet cover
• Wet/Dry bag
• Kindle kids fire ed.
• Battery pack
• Foot rest pillow
• Car seat / carrycot
• No mess Snack container
• Car tablet holder
• No mess colouring book
• Sterilising solutions
• Baby carrier
• Reusable gel sticker
• Laundry wash sheet
• Chamomila tablets
• Night dummies
• White noise machine
• Sleeping bag
• Foldable seat
• Feeding bottle with liner
• Formula dispenser
• EXTRA: travel Potty

BABY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS FOR ANY TRIP

In this category are grouped all the baby travel necessities that are useful in all types of trip.

Do you need some tips to build your family trip itinerary? Check out this Step by step guide !

Baby Carrier

Although in my opinion one cannot replace a stroller when travelling, a baby carrier is essential to facilitate travel. In some situations or on more adventurous trips it may prove to be the only alternative. We, despite having used the stroller intensely, have always brought the two baby carriers on every trip. We actively used them until Liam and Santiago became 3 years old, when in Peru we saw many of the ruins, including Machu Picchu with them on our backs. The choice of the perfect baby carrier is very personal and there are different types. After a lot of research and tests, Mark and I have chosen two different carriers, but both from ErgoBaby.

• Ergobaby Adapt: ​​Perfect from newborn to up to 20kg. Easy to use on the front and really comfortable also on your back with a toddler (you can also use it on your side). Around 13-14 months I switched from the front position to the back.
• Ergobaby Cool Air Mesh : Perfect even from birth with the special infant insert up to 20kg. Great for those who suffer from the heat as it uses a light mesh material in some places to let as much air as possible through. (The cool air mesh has now been integrated into the Omni 360 and Adapt model)

ESSENTIAL: YES

ALTERNATIVES: Use only the stroller or carry the children in your arms , or you can check Baby Tula, that is another carrier loved by parents.

LONGEVITY: 3 years more or less

Whatever the season, don’t forget that small children must always be protected from the sun. This is absolutely one item that must never be missing, wherever you go, from your baby travel essentials list. Everyone has their favorite brand of sunscreen, we tried Nutrogena for the first time in Peru (obviously halfway through the one we brought was finished) and we haven’t changed since. It is a light consistency spray and is applied in seconds. The best thing? It can also be put directly on wet skin. The painful ritual of applying the cream before going out is over !!!

UPDATE: In Europe seems really difficult to find now this sun-cream, so these year we tested others and the Frezyderm Sea Side dry mist has been our new favourite as good as Neutrogena. Like Neutrogena can be sprayed on wet skin and it is good for all family! ESSENTIAL: YES ALTERNATIVES: NO, even in winter you should apply it on the face and every area exposed to sunlight

Stroller Black Out Cover

In the section of accessories useful for flying you will find the bassinet cover that can also be used on strollers. If you already have that then you can skip this product. However, if you don’t have a long-haul flight program then it might be more useful to buy SnoozeShade. The concept is the same as the bassinet cover, creating an environment suitable for falling asleep without stimuli and in darkness. It also blocks between 97.5 to 99% of sunlight and is built with an air-permeable material. The advantage of the Snoozeshade is that it is available in two models (0-6 months and 6+ months), each in two variants:

• SnoozeShade 0-6 months original and original deluxe: deluxe is designed to fit better the carrycot. They are designed so the baby can’t see out as he will mainly lay flat
• SnoozeShade (6+ months) Plus and Plus Deluxe: both feature a large area with two zipped panels that can be left open when the kids are awake. In the Plus model only the exterior panel opens, while in the Plus Deluxe both can be fully opened. (We tested this model on the Joolz Geo double and it fitted better than the 0-6 months)

ESSENTIAL: No but practical for naps on the go ALTERNATIVES: you can use a muslin cloth or other blanket, but not with quite the same result.

LONGEVITY: A couple of years

Dummy and Bottles Steriliser

Any packing list for travel with baby must include solutions to sterilise . A baby’s immune system is not yet fully developed, so it is also necessary to protect it from common germs and bacteria for which it still has no defence. When traveling, it can become difficult to sterilize pacifiers and bottles, or elements of the breast pump, but it is absolutely essential. Below are the best baby travel products that can help you in the battle against germs:

• Dummy steriliser : small and easy to always keep in the bag, sterilises the pacifier in 3 minutes. Here are 2 models. I only know the Milton steriliser that works in the traditional way with water and tablets. Munkin is now producing a new portable UV steriliser that uses UV light to sterilise small items.
• Sterilising bag: these bags sterilise baby bottles and dummies with microwave steam. Even when you are staying at a hotel you shouldn’t have a hard time getting help with their use. An alternative could be the Tommee Tippee single bottle steriliser , Really practical to carry with you when travelling, but you need to check if it fits the bottles you use.
• Sanitising spray : the Aquaint Sanitising water is super practical as it can be used when water is not available. It does not replace complete sterilisation at the end of the day but is very useful when on the go. (We used this even on our babies’ lips after they decided to eat sand). Probably this is the top of all must-have items for traveling with a baby. In some countries, it is available in a 50ml size, really practical when flying!

ESSENTIAL: YES ALTERNATIVES: No

LONGEVITY: depends, the spray can be used in any situation

Two pads that stick almost everywhere really strongly. Super versatile, small and multi-functional. You will end up using this clever accessory not only on the go but also at home. The main use during a trip will be to keep a tablet or phone still so that children do not drop it all the time on the ground.

ESSENTIAL: No, but really practical ALTERNATIVES: No LONGEVITY: Forever

Laundry Sheets

Another small life-saving accessory. Of course, you can just transfer common laundry soap to a liquid container. These little strips take up little space and dissolve in water quickly, perfect for repairing small daily accidents without waiting to find a laundry or piling up too many dirty clothes. We used them for hand washing while travelling, sometimes cutting a strip in half and they were great. ESSENTIAL: No ALTERNATIVES: Common liquid soap LONGEVITY: If you like them you can use them instead of your normal laundry soap also at home

Chamomilla Homeopathic Remedy

Many studies say that homeopathic remedies only offer a placebo effect. Maybe it’s true, maybe not, but what is sure is that the chamomilla tablets or sachets are a product we have been using since Liam and Santiago were two months old. We always carried it with us and I always made sure it was on our travel with baby checklist. They help calm and relax irritable and fussy babies . Chamomile is often used to alleviate the discomfort of teething, but I still have very clear moments in mind when Liam and Santiago were grumpy and unbearable for no reason and 5 minutes after taking chamomile they were much calmer and more relaxed. We usually get it from a local homeopathic pharmacy, but the one from Amazon seems the same.

ESSENTIAL: NO, but really helpful with grumpy, irritable babies

ALTERNATIVES: No

Download your checklist here. You will receive a ready to print pdf copy and a link to a Google sheet file to keep directly on your phone!

You could also be interested in “The reality of travelling with twins and how to make it possible”!

TRAVEL BABY ESSENTIALS WHEN FLYING

Many parents fear so much the idea of flying with a baby that they prefer to drive even 10 hours instead of taking a short flight. Choosing your plane travel essentials carefully will help you to feel much more confident, if you pair them with some good tips about flying with a baby then your trip will be a breeze. Before to see the flying with a baby checklist here are some key things to remember:

• If possible choose a direct flight . The last thing you want after settling down and maybe having a sleeping baby is to pack everything, get off, wander around the airport, get on a new plane, and start over.
• Choose the bassinet seat or bulkhead seat. In most cases, airlines assign it by default, but check. Also, try to get on board first as planes have a limited number of bassinets and you want to be sure you have one available.
• If possible, choose to fly at a time when your baby is usually quiet. Many parents suggest flying at night because babies sleep. I say that only you know your baby well. Our twins, for example, were much easier to entertain by day than by night.
• Bring an extra change in your hand luggage and double the amount of nappies and food you would normally use. If there are delays or deviations you will not want to risk running out.

HOT TIP: Read here more tips to make fly with baby and toddlers a breeze

Travel Stroller

YOYO Babyzen

A compact and lightweight stroller is a baby travel essential in any situation. If you choose one like the gb Pockit or Babyzen YOYO you have the advantage of being able to take it on board the plane. Both fall within the cabin size dimensions approved by almost all airlines (always double-check). Having it on hand when you disembark can be very useful as in many airports you will find yourself walking through endless corridors before leaving. Of course, you can also use the stroller you use on a daily basis. In this case, you can get up to the boarding area (or even the plane in some cases) but then you will have to surrender it to be placed in the hold. Some airports deliver the stroller directly to the foot of the airplane steps, while others send them inside with the luggage. In this case, it is fundamental that you consider a baby carrier or the wait in immigration line will seem interminable. For parents with twins, there isn’t a travel stroller that folds small enough (yet) to be considered hand luggage, but you can check here for the best double stroller for travel , as with twins it is even more important to have something compact and easy to move around. We had a Joolz Geo double and we found it really good to travel with even if not specifically designed for that purpose. ESSENTIAL: YES ALTERNATIVE: NO LONGEVITY: UP TO 5 YEARS

Airplane Bassinet Cover

This airplane bassinet cover will certainly arouse curiosity on your flight, but it is a must have for flying with baby! It could be your pass to a peaceful long-haul flight. Routines are the most important thing for small children especially when it comes to sleep. Light and external stimuli are the main disturbing elements. This cover is the most ingenious of all airplane accessories for baby. It will help your baby fall asleep more easily and remain asleep despite the comings and goings of people and the changes of light inside the cabin. Small and light, it uses a pop and clip mechanism. It opens and sets in seconds, and can also be used on a stroller to block the sun’s rays, creating a dark environment to sleep safe from UV rays. ESSENTIAL: YES if you are planning many long haul flights in the first 6/8 months ALTERNATIVE: NO LONGEVITY: It offers a universal fit and doubles up as a pram cover, so you can use it as long as the pram. However, if you are planning to use it mainly as a pram cover check out the SnozeShade that is more practical .

Wet / Dry Bag

Small accidents can happen at all times. Usually, a grocery shop bag is sufficient to contain the result of the problem. Whether it’s a t-shirt soiled by regurgitation or a body involved in a blowout, the ideal is to contain everything until you are able to wash it. If you do not want to go around with a plastic bag attached to your luggage, and to keep everything easily contained, one of the top essentials for traveling with baby is to have a wet/dry bag. These wet bags should be normal in any baby travel kit. They can be sealed and returned to your hand luggage without the risk of contaminating all your luggage . Once you start to use them you will realise how useful they will be in the future too when you will no longer use the nappy bag, and all the baby stuff will end up in your handbag. ESSENTIAL: YES

ALTERNATIVE: YES, COMMON PLASTIC BAG

LONGEVITY: FOREVER

Kindle Fire 7 kids Edition

Many parents are reluctant to buy a tablet for such small children, but used in moderation they can really help. Obviously, you can use your phone or other tablet you already own. If you want to know more check out the article about the Best tablets for 2 year olds. There are two advantages of the Kindle fire kids edition:

• the first fundamental is the two-year warranty. NO QUESTION ASKED! Your little angel throws the kindle into the pool? You fish it out and they change it for you.
• The first year also includes amazon kids+ for free which gives access to an incredible number of apps for all ages not only for passive use but also to stimulate creativity with parents. When the children grow up, profiles can then be set to limit use in time and content.

OUR EXPERIENCE: we bought 2 (yes all double for twins) at 18 months and they continue to use it at almost 5 years old.

ESSENTIAL: NO

ALTERNATIVE: your phone or other tablet (to watch carefully)

LONGEVITY: This is a kindle that can grow up with the kids.

Phone / Tablet Portable Power Bank

A portable battery charger is one of the travel essential gadgets that are needed on any occasion, but in particular on a plane when often your phone or tablet is used to entertain a baby. Iwalk works with most new phone models with 2 integrated cables, one for iPhone and one for Android. It can charge up to 3 devices at the same time. A portable battery charger is in general also a really great present. Check out the article unique gift for travelers if you are looking for more ideas.

ALTERNATIVE: NO LONGEVITY: No limit

Foot Rest Pillow

This is a genius invention! You could question if this is really an item that should be on a travel essential list, in my opinion yes. When you fly with a baby it could be your pass for a relaxing night. Airlines always try to help families. If there is a spare seat they will move you to a row where you can have an extra seat for the baby even if you haven’t purchased the ticket. On our 83 flights with the boys, only when the flight was completely packed have we not been moved around to have more space (only few times)

If your baby is too big for the bulkhead bassinet (always check airlines specification as they vary greatly between them), and you are on an overnight flight this could be your solution. It basically creates an extension of the seat so your baby (and later your toddler) can lie flat and sleep peacefully . You will probably end up also buying one for yourself!. Some airlines restrict the use of this foot pillow, so check before you buy it.

ALTERNATIVE: NO

LONGEVITY: NO LIMITS. Can be used even by adults.

TRAVEL BABY ESSENTIALS ON THE ROAD

When traveling by car you obviously have fewer restrictions than on a flight. The luggage is with you and easily accessible. In this case the best travel baby items will be those that will help you to contain the volume of luggage, entertain the baby and limit stops.

Car Seat-Carrycot

A car-cot (a car seat where the baby can lie flat) is one of the best baby travel gear to purchase if you plan to travel a lot by car during the baby’s first months. It is important to remember that babies up to about six months should remain lying down. Small children should not remain in a normal car seat for more than a couple of hours. Stopping for a lots of breaks is a first step, but if you plan to travel longer or do not want to wake up a sleeping baby, the best option is a car seat / carrycot. These are car seats that can be used as a sleeping carrycot. Lately, many models with different features have come out.

• Those that lay flat on the stroller and in the car (perfect in any situation)
• Those that lay flat only on the stroller (suitable for shorter trips, which however allow you to not wake the child when moving from the car to the stroller.

It might seem like extra travel baby gear, but if the decision is made in time, you can completely avoid buying the bassinet for the stroller and after six months you can move to a more traditional car seat.

These are the best models:

• Maxi cosi Jade : perfect alternative to the stroller bassinet. Works with any Maxi-Cosi compatible buggy
• Kiddi Evoluna : expensive, but excellent because it can be used up to about 15 months and then switch to a lighter one.
• Maxi cosi Marble : not completely lie-flat, but almost. Cheaper than Kiddi Evoluna, more widespread and compatible with any maxi cosi compatible buggy

ALTERNATIVE: No, but you can avoid to keep the baby in a normal car seat for more than 2 hours

LONGEVITY: depending on the the model, max 15 months

No Mess Snack Cup

This is another little item that should be in any travel with baby packing list whatever type of trip you decide to do. A healthy snack is another source of great entrainment with small kids. Of course you can use any container or Tupperware you already own, but the Skip hop snack cup has 2 advantages:

• The container has a flexible containment element under the lid (attached so as not to get lost) that prevents the food inside from escaping inadvertently and invading the whole car.
• This flexible element also slows down the rate at which a voracious baby can devour the snacks they enjoy, which means a few more minutes of entertainment and a happier stomach.

ESSENTIAL: NO, but you will get great moments of peace while they munch independently ALTERNATIVES: Normal food container

LONGEVITY: No limits

Car Tablet Holder

If you often embark on long road trips with your own car, it may be useful to keep this accessory fixed on the headrest. Keep it also in your traveling with baby checklist to not forget it when you are renting a car somewhere else. Especially with small children it will avoid you having to stop constantly or twist in strange positions to reach the phone or tablet that has fallen to the ground. Perfect even if you have two children because it extends towards the centre ESSENTIAL: NO, but very, very useful ALTERNATIVE: NO LONGEVITY: until kids can hold phones and tablets without dropping them continuously.

No Mess Water Colour Books

We don’t usually take games on trips, but we never miss these books. We have 4, and even today Liam and Santiago entertain themselves by colouring them. The big advantage is that you don’t have to carry the colors with you. They are equipped with a pen that, when filled with water, activates the colors hidden on the books. When the water dries, the books are ready to be colored again.

ESSENTIAL: NO, but they offer a compact mess free entertainment ALTERNATIVES: No LONGEVITY: A COUPLE OF YEARS

BABY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS FOR A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP

In this category are grouped all those essentials for travelling with baby that will help you both to sleep better.

A travel cot is essential both for parents who visit relatives and friends occasionally for a weekend, and for parents who venture around the world. Only the characteristics to be taken into consideration when choosing the travel crib will change. The reasons for buying a travel cot are various, some not to be underestimated:

• Hygiene and safety : even in high-class hotels, sometimes the cots provided are not always safe and possibly not hygienic. Co-sleeping if you are not already used to it could result in a sleepless night for everyone.
• Saving : in many hotels you pay a variable amount between € 20-50 per night for the use of a cot, while if you have your own there are no supplements.

There are three essential elements that will influence the choice:

• size / portability
• ease of assembly

Obviously also how long you plan to use it for and from what age can make the choice lean in one direction or the other.

It is difficult to summarise in a few lines for a fairly complex choice. In the article “ best travel cot for travel ” you will find a detailed analysis of the eight best models to choose from. At the moment, the travel cot that generally offers the best features is the Micralite sleep and go cot , which is very easy to assemble, can include a practical bassinet for the first few months, and can be easily transported in a practical bag with shoulder strap. OUR EXPERIENCE : We have two Phil and Ted travel cots, chosen because they’re the lightest on the market … and we obviously needed two!

ESSENTIAL: YES ALTERNATIVE: YES LONGEVITY: 3 YEARS MORE OR LESS

Night Pacifier

To be honest, night dummies (if you use pacifiers) are essential both at home and on the go. For sure, when travelling and sleeping in hotels or apartments where you are less familiar with the surrounding environment, the night version is an additional help. What are they? They are normal pacifiers but they glow in the dark thanks to the florescent upper part! The light glow helps to locate them in the cradle, under the bed, or wherever they have been dropped/thrown/spat in just a few seconds, avoiding searching at night in the light of the mobile phone minimising disturbing baby who may already be crying. ESSENTIAL: YES ALTERNATIVES: No LONGEVITY: As long as you need the pacifier

White Noise Machine

Especially in the first few months, white noise reminds babies of the muffled sounds they heard when they were in their mother’s womb. This sound calms them and helps them fall asleep. By now there are a lot of apps that reproduce different white noises, so if you have an old phone you can simply resort to this alternative. Otherwise, at very little cost you can buy what looks like a small speaker with different white noise tracks. It can be used standing or attached with a practical carabiner clip to the stroller or cradle when traveling. It includes a timer so that it turns off after 15/30 or 45 minutes. A prettier alternative could be Ewan the Sheep which also acts as a soft toy and gives off a light red glowing to represent the predominant colour that wrapped the babies in the mother’s belly. (We opted for this and it was always on our checklist for travel with baby even if not as travel-friendly, as Ewan’s a bit big) ESSENTIAL: YES

ALTERNATIVE: YES a phone app

Sleeping Bag

For anyone who already uses sleeping bags this point might seem superfluous, as you maybe don’t consider them as baby travel stuff. However, it deserves reflection for those who normally use sheets and blankets instead. In summer or in very hot places you will not have many problems, the children will probably be fine only with their sleepsuit. However, if you venture into the mountains or any cold country you may find your crib prepared with sheets and duvets not suitable for small children. They may be too heavy, or difficult to accommodate so that the baby can move around without being completely covered or uncovered and in the cold. The sleeping bag is nothing more than a wearable blanket that leaves the baby’s head uncovered and has plenty of room for the legs to move comfortably . It also represents for the baby the association with peaceful sleep, essential when traveling to make the baby feel in a familiar environment. A 2.5 tog is probably the most versatile in terms of where to use it. We have had many different ones, from the unbeatable growsnug and the light muslin type , up to heavier ones even with arms . ESSENTIAL: NO ALTERNATIVES: Yes, using provided bedding LONGEVITY: depending on the model, most up to 3 years

Baby Feeding Travel accessory

The top of the baby travel essentials in this category is a foldable/portable seat. You will find another couple of accessories to keep in the travelling with a baby checklist especially for people using formula milk who must arrange themselves between sterilisations and portioning.

Portable / Foldable High chair

When you move to a more solid food meal routine, new baby travel essentials are needed. When you are traveling, many restaurants will be able to provide you with a high chair. However do not forget that customs and cultures are different everywhere. During our trip to Japan for example, very few places were equipped with them. If you book an apartment you will have the same problem. This issue can easily solved with a portable / foldable high chair. Two models to consider:

• The original easy seat is a cloth travel high chair, it is super light and folds very small . It can be used with almost any type of chair with backrest. In practice, it has a kind of reinforced hood that slips over the chair, connected to this part by a 5 point safety harness that keeps the child safe.
• A foldable booster seat has more flexibility as instead of slipping over the chair it has a strap that blocks it around the backrest and under the chair. There is also a T-strap that holds the baby in position. The advantage of this model is that it has a self inflatable cushion that keeps the baby taller and able to use the table. When you close it the air is pushed out and everything is compressed in a flat case. We have used this model on several trips, it is practical and essential for a quiet meal, but remember that it does not replace a real high chair where the baby can also be left without the risk of falling. ESSENTIAL: YES ALTERNATIVE: NO LONGEVITY: a couple of years

Feeding Bottle with Liner

At this point, you may be wondering why is this item on this baby travel essentials list. Everyone has a bottle at home and those who use exclusively formula will already have several of different sizes and with different nipples. Traveling with an infant can be more practical if you are breastfeeding exclusively, but if you are bottle feeding it can become a real bore, continuously washing and sterilising the bottles. The Playtex Baby Nurser Bottle is a blessing for travelling parents. The concept is very simple, a special disposable liner is inserted inside the bottle . This system was introduced to prevent air from entering the bottle and thus prevent colic, but it is extremely convenient also when traveling. In this way you can reduce the quantity of bottles that you will have to carry around, limiting yourself to small nipples. If you are a fan of Tommee Tippee bottles they too have invented something similar. Also useful for mothers who pump milk that goes directly into the pouch which can then be connected to the bottle. ESSENTIAL: NO ALTERNATIVE: NO LONGEVITY: until you use bottles

Formula Dispenser

The name says it all, nothing complicated. You can use any container you already own, but the advantage of these is that they have a double opening. A large opening to facilitate the introduction of the formula (obviously to be portioned in the desired quantity) and a smaller one to be inserted directly into the bottle so as not to have the milk formula fall everywhere. Often many parents use ready to drink formula bottles when out and about. However, during long journeys it is more convenient (and less cumbersome) to use the formula, that’s when these containers are super useful!

LONGEVITY: no limit, we now repurposed them to freeze ready cut garlic, ginger…

BABY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS…ALL THE REST

In the list that you can download here you will also find all the other items that that you use daily such as a changing mat, muslin cloths, diaper cream, medication, disposable bag, hand sanitiser, wipes, snacks…. you just have to remember to pack them in your suitcase / backpack bag. I have also added to the list a travel potty, although without all the details. I know some people start potty training really early so it could be good to remember to bring it along. There are some really clever models on the market, even if you are going to start later consider Potette Plus travel potty . It can be used anywhere both as a stand alone potty and directly on the toilet seat. Lightweight and compact to carry around. I hope this list will help you to have smoother travels, but don’t forget that sometimes even with all the best baby gear for travel also our trips didn’t go as we were expecting…if you have time you can read and laugh about our misadventure on a trip to the beach with our twins when they were 13 months!

RELATED: don’t forget to choose the right bag for your needs to travel with. Have a look at these article going through all the details the best bags for moms need to have. If you prefer to have your hands free, check out this other article about the best backpacks !

NO TIME NOW? PIN IT FOR LATER

Clotilde Passalacqua

Clotilde is a resilient, resourceful and adventurous person that navigate the world of travelling with kids. She is a mum of 7 years old twins and she share practical tips, profound insights and genuine personal experience to empowers family to embrace travel with children as an enriching experience rather than a daunting challenge.

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Katie Dumont

Thankyou this is so so helpful!

Hi Katie, I’m so happy you find it useful! Enjoy your trips!

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GET THE LATEST PRINCESS TIPS AND ADVICE FOR THE BEST FAMILY ADVENTURES

23 Best Travel Essentials for Babies in 2024: All You Need to Bring

The whole point of this blog and many other family travel blogs is to show you that you don’t need to stop traveling just because you had a baby. In fact, a baby’s first year is an excellent time to travel (we speak from experience!).

The only daunting factor is the number of items a baby needs. How do you take all the stuff on your baby registry with you on a trip? Obviously, you don’t!

We and some other family travelers have put together a list of travel essentials for babies so that you don’t have to worry about what to bring and what not.

Make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom. We’ve added a downloadable baby travel essentials list underneath this article. Oh, and it’s editable so you can remove any things you don’t need – or add them if we missed any baby travel items.

There’s a good chance this post contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase anything through one of our links, we’ll receive a small fee (it won’t cost you anything, promise!). As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you would like to learn more about our affiliate partners, click here for our disclaimer .

We traveled a lot when my daughter was a baby and the one thing that made things so much easier was keeping my hands free the majority of the time. The thing that helped me with this the most? A backpack-style nappy bag !

The usual, messenger style, the nappy bag was so difficult to carry around, I was constantly having to adjust it and the strain it caused on one shoulder was immense. So, I switched to a backpack-style nappy bag and I’ve never looked back.

As well as keeping both hands free to care for the baby, backpack nappy bags usually have a ton of different shapes and size pockets and compartments so keeping all that baby gear organized is a breeze.

The biggest benefit to me was the fact that the weight is distributed evenly across your back , so there is no shoulder pain or constant moving of the bag to get comfortable!

If you’re traveling with a baby, it’s always a good idea to bring snacks. A whole lot of snacks.

In fact… that’s also a great tip for traveling with toddlers or older kids.

Not only will this keep them occupied, but it can also help avoid tantrums (if your baby is an almost-toddler). Snacks can also help pass the time on long flights or car rides. And let’s be honest, the food on planes is not exactly suitable for babies (or anyone, really).

So save yourself some hassle and pack a few snacks for your little one. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did.

Items that can be carried along while traveling with a baby (include the ones that are appropriate for your baby’s age) :

• cooked rice/ rice balls
• pureed fruits/ cooked vegetables like apples, carrots, beetroot, sweet potato, peaches, green peas
• any kind of porridge/ cereal/ cooked legumes
• finger foods like cooked potato/ carrot/ cucumber sticks, meatballs, hard-boiled and chopped eggs, chopped ripe fruits like apples, mangoes, strawberries, watermelon, nuts and dry fruits
• soft whole wheat pancakes in different flavours

Make sure to carry insulated containers to keep the food hot/ frozen until use, and enough serve-ware.

This tip by Ale from Universo Viajero is definitely one we use. A couple of extra onesies are part of our baby travel kit anywhere we go. Ale suggested one extra outfit, but I’m going to up that and propose 3 extra sets, just to be sure (imagine being on a plane and having a couple of poo-splosions!)

When you’re traveling with babies, disasters are imminent, no matter how careful you are at feeding hours or letting them play. They may even find a water pond on the street and decide that crawling on it is the perfect game.

At any minute there may be an explosion of food, diaper, crying and many others. Protecting yourself against any eventuality is practically impossible, but there are always some tips to make the solution more bearable.

One of my favorites is to never leave your accommodation without a complete change of clothes for your baby, it can even be more than a complete change if you are going to be too many hours away without a return option. You will not use much space in your bag and you can leave them in the stroller or backpack diaper bag until it is necessary.

Don’t forget to include a disposable or washable bag to leave the clothes that have been spoiled there, keeping odors and dirt separated from the rest of your belongings.

You might’ve thought about spare clothes for your baby, but parents usually forget to think about themselves. And yes, technically, you could keep on wearing that shirt with baby vomit for the remainder of the journey.

But, trust me, you’ll thank yourself if you threw an extra t-shirt into the hand luggage!

Travel essentials with baby: moving around

This must-have item was contributed by Chelsea from Pack More into Life. For us too, this is the most indispensable piece of travel gear for babies. In fact, when we were only traveling with our Little Elf, it was the only item we brought!

Traveling with babies can be a bit daunting, but having the right gear to travel with kids can make all the difference. One of my favorite items is a soft structured baby carrier such as an Ergobaby , Tula , or Kinderpack (#AffiliateLinks).

These carriers are easy to roll up and store in a backpack or clipped onto your back when not in use. Then when your little one is ready for a nap or needs a ride , you can easily toss them into the carrier, snuggle them in, and off you go to explore! 

We used our carriers at home as well as when we were traveling. They are perfect for inside airports , on public transportation , and when exploring a city that doesn’t lend well to strollers . The carriers all have multiple adjustment points and can often be shared between two adults when someone needs a break from carrying the little one.

If you are up for a bit more of an adventure, make sure to swap your baby carrier for a more outdoor-sy equivalent! Katalin from Our Life Our Travel did the same.

We are an outdoorsy family and a hiking baby carrier is essential for our travels. Strollers are great for parks and for short walks, but if you want to spend several hours hiking with your baby, the only convenient way to do is using an ergonomic hiking carrier.”

With a hiking carrier, you have two free hands for taking photos or just holding hands with your partner, and neither rougher terrains nor stairs are a problem to pass. The young ones can observe the surroundings much better from your back than from a stroller, so it is easier to keep them occupied for longer periods of time. They also enjoy being carried and close to you , so it’s a double win!

Contributed by Melissa from My Travel Strollers

If you aren’t familiar, a travel system is an infant car seat and stroller that can click together . The advantage is that if your baby falls asleep in the car or on a flight , you don’t have to remove them to transfer to a separate stroller.

One of our favorite pieces of gear for traveling with a baby was our travel system.

It was perfect for traveling (as well as use around town) because we didn’t have to worry about strict bedtime or time zone changes while on vacation. For example, when we took our son to Hawaii at 3 months old, he would fall asleep on our drive to dinner (6pm locally, but 8pm back home). We could just clip his car seat into the stroller and sit back for a nice quiet dinner!

If your baby is not tiny anymore, you could use a travel stroller instead of a travel system. Chris from More Life in your Days loves bringing a compact stroller on vacations.

One of our traveling-with-a-baby essentials is to take a compact travel stroller with us.

Whilst we love our baby carrier, there comes a point when your back needs a rest and your baby has had enough of being cooped up. This is where a travel stroller can be a lifesaver, giving you the chance to explore at your own pace.

A travel stroller will come in handy throughout your trip. From getting through the airport to sightseeing at your destination and even changing a nappy on the go ,  you will definitely appreciate having somewhere to put your baby down that you know is clean, comfy, and portable.

There will be no need to put the holiday on hold while your baby naps. Let them sleep in the stroller and enjoy some fresh air while you explore new places.

When we first traveled with a baby we took a full-size stroller and it was such hard work to have to haul it around with us on and off the buses and trains.

We now know better and have discovered that there are some amazing travel strollers that are as good as full-sized ones, just in a nice tiny package. Many of these have newborn setups so you can take them exploring with you from a very young age!

If you are up for a bit more of an adventure, make sure to swap your travel system or travel stroller for an outdoor-sy equivalent! Mary Beth from A Reluctant Mom will tell you all about one of her favorite travel accessories for babies.

We do a lot of outdoor and national park travels, so bringing the best off-road stroller  is one of our favorite travel essentials for a baby!

Its large rubber tires make it great for hiking, and we’ve been able to use it on a surprising number of park trails. It recently got us through some awesome hikes at Yosemite, Big Sur, and the Grand Canyon.

I’ll be honest, they’re a little bulky to travel with. But if your travel itinerary includes taking baby off-the-beaten-path , an all-terrain stroller is a must.

They can tackle rocky, uneven trails like a breeze, and the suspension keeps the baby comfy while bouncing over all those bumps. They’re also versatile enough for urban exploration, unlike your average travel stroller which probably wouldn’t be sturdy enough to go from city streets to  no  streets.

We promised ourselves that we’d keep traveling to the parks after the baby came along, and our outdoor stroller has made it easy to keep that promise!

Bringing along a car seat is a great idea whether you’re traveling by plane especially if you’ll be renting a car at your destination. Kate from Tear Free Travel thinks so too and always brought one when her kids were smaller.

As much as we can see the benefit of having a car seat on the plane, we don’t see ourselves dragging along such a huge travel gadget for babies.

One of the most indispensable travel items for trips with babies is a   portable car seat for travel .

We’ve traveled a lot with our kids when they were young and bringing along the car seat always makes traveling with young babies a breeze.

We typically bring our Maxi Cosi bucket seat as this car seat is super lightweight, easy to buckle in with a regular seatbelt, approved for the airplane, and fits onto our Uppababy Vista stroller .

Although we don’t typically buy a seat for our infants under 2, we have had a few occasions where we were able to score an extra seat on the plane and brought our car seat on with us. Being hands-free while the baby slept quietly on the plane was an amazing feeling indeed! 

If you’re planning on using a car eat in your rental car, but you didn’t book an extra seat for your baby, bring a gate check bag for your car seat to make transport easier.

A travel car seat is not to be missed on a trip with a baby, don’t leave yours at home! 

If you do bring a car seat for your older baby or toddler, it won’t fit into the travel system anymore. If you don’t want to drag a chunky item along, think about bringing a car seat cart. Lauren from My Favorite Jobtitle is Mom will tell you all about it.

The car seat cart is the travel item we never leave without when traveling with a baby. 

The cart is made of lightweight plastic and folds into a square that easily fits in carry-on luggage. 

When unfolded it has a buckle similar to an airplane seat belt to secure the car seat to the cart . 

Once the car seat is attached, the child can be strapped in and pulled like roller board luggage. 

This makes it super easy to travel all the way to the gate with the car seat without having to carry it .  It also allows our convertible car seat to replace a big stroller . 

The cart is a basic design that fits all convertible car seats . Therefore, you don’t need to worry about finding one that is specific to your car seat brand.  This cart is definitely an indispensable part of our baby travel gear.

Traveling with baby essentials for sleeping

When you’re used to a co-sleeper on the side of your bed, bringing along a baby nest is a great way to co-sleep without having to put your baby in your bed .

Betty from MomBrite loves using the DockATot . Babies love the comfort of their own bed. When they are traveling and need to sleep in a new, foreign crib or bed, they may feel anxious and therefore not able to sleep as well. She loves that the DockATot provides the comfort and safeness from home.

The rounded sides create a barrier between your baby and the parents so that you can sleep with your baby peacefully in your bed.

The DockATot is designed so that the baby feels snug and cuddled while sleeping, which oftentimes allows the baby to sleep better and longer.

For traveling, you can simply get a travel bag for the DockATot and bring it with you as part of your luggage.

This baby travel product can be used from 0 to 8 months and is lightweight and portable.

Having your baby sleep well while traveling can make a huge difference in your experience since you can feel energetic and awake while exploring the sights! Plus, you can also use it as a changing pad and activity gym (with a few extra accessories) in your room, so that’s travel baby items to bring.

As an alternative, you can bring along a travel crib, but if your baby is used to sleeping close to you that might cause some trouble. You can also just put your little one into bed with you, but always (always!) make sure to bedshare safely (especially if you’re not used to doing this regularly).

If you don’t want to bedshare with your baby – be it with or without a baby nest – a travel bassinet is a perfect solution. Another big bonus is the fact that you can take it along for naps when you’re out at a restaurant too.

Mandi from Big Family Small Adventures loved using a pop-up travel cot when her kids were still small. She found it the most useful travel essential for babies when she went camping with her large family.

“I love the pop up travel cot because it is so light and folds away so small it can easily be stored within your suitcase . When you reach your destination, just take it out of the bag and there you have it: the perfect place for your little one to sleep.” – Mandi

However, if you don’t mind the extra space, it might be more comfortable for your baby to bring along a portable cot . Many places state that a cot is included, but you can never be sure if it will be suitable for your child, therefore taking your own with you guarantees a good night’s sleep for both you and your baby.

Or you can always do what so many parents do: ask your hotel to provide a baby bed. You can save a lot of space by not bringing your own portable crib. When you’re staying at a hotel with your baby , make sure to call ahead and ask for a crib to be set up before you arrive.

Cath from Passports and Adventures has one item which she would class as one of the best travel essentials for baby and that is a white noise item.

Her product of choice was Ewan the Dream Sheep , who became a member of their family when their son was one month old in a bid to help him nap better during the day.

Ewan the Dream Sheep is a cute little sheep that has a built-in white noise machine that can play four different sounds , a built-in night light , and his Velcro tail allows him to be attached to a cot bar or stroller arm .

Because he was a firm part of the family’s nap and bedtime routine, Ewan also became a baby travel essential when they took off with their son.

He has traveled to Slovenia, New York, and Ireland among many places, and they only stopped using him after their son turned four. He ensured their son was able to drift off to sleep in new surroundings without any hassle and soothed him back to sleep if he woke during the night.

Alternatively, you can download an app with white noise sounds – or any other soothing sound. We highly recommend White Noise Baby Sleep Sounds .

It’s an app with 40 different sounds ranging from heartbeats, a plane, or a hairdryer. We originally downloaded the app because we wanted our son to be soothed by the sounds of the ocean (we thought that would come in useful when traveling), but turns out he only wants to sleep with the vacuum cleaner on. So that’s what we have been listening to for the last 10 months *sigh*.

I don’t know if we are the only ones always putting up towels or bags in an attempt to clock out the light, but turns out Emily from Journey of Parenthood has a way better way of doing this: black-out curtains ! So we’ve gone ahead and purchased them and we couldn’t be happier! Little Dragon sleeps so much better when it’s dark in the room!

If you’re thinking about traveling with an infant or older baby, black-out curtains are a huge help. It’s a must-have for a family vacation that many parents don’t think to pack.

When driving in the car it’s perfect to help to block the sunlight coming in from the windows to allow Baby to sleep.

When staying in a hotel room the curtain can be used to cover the window (suction cups are included!) so Baby can sleep and get the rest they need in order to be happy and content for the family vacation. 

We’re trying to keep things as normal as possible for our little ones, so if you use a sleeping bag at home, bring it along on your trip!

For babies under 4 months, we recommend a swaddling sleeping bag to keep them cozy and comfortable. We are a big fan of the swaddle sacks with arms up since babies like to suck on their hands to soothe themselves.

We’ve been using this sleeping bag for Little Dragon until he was about 6 months and always took it along for overnight trips.

Pay attention to the weather at your destination. If you’re going to a place with a hot climate, think about bringing a sleeping bag in a light fabric such as muslin. For example, this really cute one with hedgehogs

Our kids never batted an eye when we didn’t bring their favorite cuddle bear or blanket as a baby ( that did change a lot when our daughter turned 3 though! ). As we usually bedshare, they always just needed their moms close to being able to sleep well.

However, many kids are much more attached to their favorite soft toy and can’t sleep without it. In that case, it becomes one of the must-have baby travel items you should bring as leaving this behind could be disastrous!

When we were travelling with a newborn by car for the first time, my daughter was very unsettled and grizzily but we just thought it was the car trip that was unsettling her. Later that night at our destination she continued being very upset and unsettled, and crying a lot which she doesn’t normally do. We then realised our rookie error, we had forgotten to pack her favourite blankie that she always cuddled when sleeping. Luckily for us my brother was joining us the next day and was able to bring the missing blankie with him ensuring a peaceful night’s sleep for baby, us and our neighbouring holidayers from our second night onwards. We learnt quickly from this mistake and ever since then, the favourite blankie has been the first thing listed on our packing lists! Ingrid from Fabulous and Fun Life

Travel baby essentials: eating

You may be debating whether a travel high chair is really essential baby gear for travel, but if your kids are as messy and wriggly as our youngest, then it definitely is! 

It is hard enough to feed a baby in a new environment, but if they are sitting on your knee, can’t see you, and you’re trying to spoon feed them, it is pretty hard to keep clean, and calm.

Adding a portable high chair is key to a good restaurant experience with a baby but even if you’re just having a picnic, things just get so much easier.

There are many different types of travel high chairs , but both we and Jennifer from Backyard Travel Family went for the so-called ‘hook-on high chair’.

The Phil and Teds lobster saves the day when it comes to eating out with babies. 

This travel high chair is super compact . You can keep it under the passenger seat in the car and it is pretty lightweight , so you can bring it along in your suitcase as well.  It has two “claws” that clamp onto any surface that has a decent flat overhang.

You can use it at playgrounds or camping spots, attached to a picnic table, but it will also work in restaurants (with the right tables) and kitchen benches at your Air BnB.

Safety straps will hold them in, but what’s especially great is how deep the sides are .  There is no chance of a baby wriggling out of this high chair. It is easy to clamp on and off, and if you give it a push, it is as solid as a rock. 

#19 Inflatable Nursing Pillow (<6months)

I’m a breastfeeding mom and one of the things I love most is that you always have your baby’s food with you, wherever you go. You don’t need to bring anything else.

But that’s not to say there aren’t any breastfeeding essentials that can make your life easier. For Marta from Backpackers WRO , for example, an inflatable nursing pillow is one of her baby travel must-haves.

At home, I always use the feeding pillow, and this is one of my favorite baby essentials.

Fortunately, inflatable feeding pillows were invented, which makes me feel even more comfortable when traveling. I am sure that I maintain a proper feeding position , and my little fellow feels safe and cozy as well.

The main benefits of an inflatable feeding pillow are that it is light , compact , and does not take up much space in our backpacks, as it has the size of a small book!

If you’re traveling by car and have enough room, you can always just bring your regular breastfeeding pillow. Especially when your little one is still a newborn, that pillow comes in handy for a lot of things.

Another one of those travel baby accessories when you’re breastfeeding, is a travel pump.

Maybe your partner is used to bottle-feeding your baby regularly? Or you’re planning on using babysitting services offered by your family or by the hotel? In those cases, bringing a travel pump is a necessity!

Whether you choose an electric pump or a manual pump is completely up to you. The former takes up more place, obviously. It all depends on how much you will need to pump and how easy your body gives up the milk if it’s not the baby hanging at your breast.

I’ve always been very happy with my  Medela Maxi Swing  , but it’s a little on the expensive side. So you can check out the ones below for more budget-friendly travel breast pumps.

Alternatively, you can always express milk manually . Just bring along one bottle that you can use to store it or – if you only want to use it in your baby’s bath or just throw it away – a plastic water bottle will work fine too. Some people have noticed their breasts give milk easier by hand-pumping than by using an electrical or manual pump.

Travel gear baby: bathing & caring

Another one of those indispensable items that should be in your baby travel kit is a first aid kit. Things tend to happen when you’re traveling with a little one – especially when they start crawling and walking.

My kids love to play outside and run around, but things happen and someone will trip or run into wild weeds. This is when our first aid kit comes into play. First aid kits can easily be purchased; however, we like to make our own and throw it in our diaper backpack when we travel. In our first aid kit, we typically put general items such as band-aids, vitamin E ointment, thermometer, allergy medication, alcohol wipes and sanitizer, as well as specific items for allergic reactions, fevers, inflammation, and burns.  There will be places that will not have these items readily available or families may find themselves in locations far away from any store or pharmacy. Going out into the wilderness, camping, safaris, boating, and other activities where first aid may not be available. Having your own first aid kit is essential, as a few simple items can make a big difference when traveling with kids.  Diana – The Elusive Family

Contributed by Priyadarshini from Glorious Sunrise

Baby wipes are one of my favorite family travel tips as it’s the most important item I always pack when traveling with kids. They come in super handy especially in buses, trains, or flights to clean the surface before you seat your kids.

In airplanes, when you change diapers for the little ones in the bathroom, wipe down the changing table before placing the changing mat.

On road trips, when the kids are done with their snacks, pass them a wipe to clean their hands and their seat . This helps in keeping the mess in the car and sticky car seats and sticky toys at the minimum.

Wipes help clean up the toys and pacifiers that inevitably fall when you are out and about.

Tip: Having baby wipes in a plastic bottle or travel-size pouch makes it easy for dispensing.

This might seem like a little early for a baby’s first year, but as we are big supporters of Elimination Communication , I felt that it did belong on this list. Ever since our daughter was 9 weeks old (and our son was only 10 days old!), we integrated listening to her signs about needing to go to the toilet into our daily lives. It was all about communication, but not having to do ‘regular’ potty training was a big plus! She stopped wearing diapers at the age of 10 months and we were accident-free by 1,5 during the day and 2 at night. We used the Potette for a long time ourselves, both at home and while traveling.

Noelle from Diary of a Travel Family loved using the Potette travel potty as well when her kids were small.

The Potette folds up really small in its carry sack and comes with little disposable bags . It’s like throwing away a dog poo bag. Ew, I know. But hey, #parentlife. If you’re lucky enough to be by a bathroom when nature calls, the Potette’s sides fold out to fit on a regular toilet seat .

We think back fondly on all the places we used our Potette: near ancient ruins in Tulum, in bushes by the monkeys at the zoo, in the parking lot at Dollywood… so many memories.

Phew, you made it to the end of this list. As I said, you don’t need to bring every item you see here. It’s merely a reminder for you so you can go all “Oh yes, I completely forgot about that!”. Remember, some people travel minimalistic and some like to bring as much as possible ‘just in case’. It’s all up to you – either way is fine.

Happy travels with your baby!

Mums on Flipflops  is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.de, amazon.fr, amazon.it and amazon.es. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Babs Rodrigus is the co-founder and main writer of Mums on FlipFlops . She is absolutely crazy about traveling – especially together with her wife and kids. Babs loves animals, chocolate (what did you expect from a Belgian?), reading, and writing.

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• Baby & Toddler
• Baby Health & Wellness
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The Best Baby Travel Essentials for Your Next Family Trip

All parents know that bringing baby anywhere pretty much guarantees a bag (or two) brimming with gear —and when you’re packing for an extended trip, the prospect of carrying everything around (and remembering it all!) can be daunting. Thankfully, there are plenty of sanity-saving baby travel essentials out there, all designed to lighten your load. From on-the-go changing and feeding accessories to feather-light strollers and packable playards , these trusty products will make any trip more seamless. Below, browse our handy baby travel essentials checklist, then shop our favorites for an array of categories.

Baby Travel Essentials Checklist

Packing for yourself and your little one doesn’t have to be a headache. To make sure you don’t forget any baby travel essentials, keep this checklist handy as you prep:

Travel car seat

Travel stroller

Travel crib

Baby carrier

Portable high chair

Travel diaper bag (and diaper bag essentials , of course!)

Travel changing pad

Wet/dry bag

Portable wipes dispenser (and your favorite wipes )

Diapers (or training pants !)

Travel potty seat (for little ones who are potty training )

Travel white noise machine

Travel nursing pillow (if you’re breastfeeding )

Baby bottles

Insulated food jar

Formula and snack dispenser

Portable baby bathtub (for newborns and younger infants)

Pacifier clip

Travel toys

Baby Travel Essentials To Shop

Missing a few key items, or not sure where to start when it comes to picking out baby travel essentials? We’ve got you covered. Here, check out top-notch travel strollers, portable high chairs, diaper bags, car seat toys and everything else in between so you’re prepped for any and all travel plans.

Best travel car seat

Searching for a top-notch infant travel car seat? You can’t go wrong with this design from Nuna . It’s made from premium materials, has a secure five-point safety harness and can easily be installed with a seatbelt (no base needed!). This car seat is also Aircraft-certified and can be seamlessly connected to any Nuna stroller. Another feature you’ll love: It has a removable, full coverage canopy that’s UPF 50 to keep baby shaded in sunny weather.

Dimensions: 27.25” (L) x 17.5” (W) x 23” (H) | Weighs: 6.9 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 32 pounds

Best travel booster seat

Traveling with a tot or a kiddo? Don’t forget to bring along a travel booster seat . Our favorite is this design from Peg Perego . It can be adjusted in four different ways to ensure your little love is comfy and safe while en route to your destination. This booster can be installed using just a seatbelt and folds easily for added convenience. When inevitable messes occur, you’ll also love how the cover is machine-washable.

Dimensions: 26” (L) x 22” (W) x 17.25” (H) | Weighs: 14.8 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 120 lbs.

Best travel stroller

Talk about on-the-go: This lightweight travel stroller is just 16 lbs. and meets International Air Travel Association (IATA) requirements, meaning it can be stored in a plane’s overhead compartment. When on the ground, unfold it in seconds and enjoy features like the spacious underseat basket, the protective sun canopy and the advanced four-wheel suspension. Better yet, you don’t have to sacrifice sturdiness for the small size—the stroller can be used from 6 months up to around the four-year mark.

Dimensions: 36.42” (L) x 17.72” (W) x 40.31” (H) | Weighs: 16 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 48.50 pounds

Best travel crib

Wherever you’re headed, making sure baby has a safe place to sleep is a top priority. Thankfully, the Lotus solves that problem. This lightweight travel crib (13 lbs.) folds into a compact carrying case that fits in the overhead compartment and can be worn as a backpack. Once you’ve reached your destination, it sets up in 15 seconds and is super-sturdy for peace of mind. Plus, it doubles as a playard, with a side zip door so baby can crawl in and out.

Dimensions: 45.5” (L) x 31.5” (W) x 25.5” (H) | Weighs: 15 lbs. | Maximum capacity: No weight limit

Best toddler travel bed

Need something a bit more tot-friendly? Then this toddler travel bed will have your (and your kiddo’s) back. Highlights include the sleeping pad, the adjustable sunscreens and the secure anchor straps. This portable bed can be used by little ones between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old, so you can count on it for many outings to come. The best part? It easily folds into the included carry bag when not in use.

Dimensions: 19” (L) x 3.5” (W) x 19” (D) | Weighs: 3.65 lbs. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best baby carrier

A carrier will let you walk around with baby without having to work hard—and still have the freedom to use both hands. Pro tip: Wearing baby through the airport will let you wheel along your luggage and sail through security without taking baby in and out. A longtime parent-loved brand, Ergobaby stands out for form and function, giving you the option to wear baby in multiple positions.

Dimensions: 6.2” (L) x 9.1” (W) x 10.4” (H) | Weighs: 2.2 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 45 pounds

Best portable high chair

Clip it on, clip it off; this portable high chair creates seating for little ones where there otherwise is none. Suitable for up to 37 pounds, it’s sturdy and durable enough to last through the toddler years. Best of all? It packs flat into the included travel bag. Now comes the hard part: Picking just one of the cute colorways available.

Dimensions: 14” (L) x 17” (W) x 11” (H) | Weighs: 4.96 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 37 lbs.

Best travel diaper bag

Road, train or plane trips with kiddos are what this weekender bag was made for. It weighs only 3 lbs., but don’t let that fool you—there’s plenty of room for your gear, thanks to the convenient mesh packing cubes included and the wipe-open compartment. Need to be hands-free? No problem. Just adjust the strap to turn it into a crossbody. Other highlights include a cushioned changing pad, an insulated bottle pocket and a handy luggage sleeve—score!

Dimensions: 17.5” (L) x 9” (W) x 14” (H) | Weighs: 3 lbs. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best travel changing pad

Make on-the-go diaper changes a bit less messy with the help of this travel changing pad. No matter where you are, it will offer a hygienic, cushioned surface for baby to lay on while they get cleaned up. We love how this one can be opened with just one hand—plus, it features two storage pockets for diapers and wipes. When you’re all done, fold it flat and tote it in your diaper backpack , your carry-on bag or your suitcase.

Dimensions: 13.8” (L) x 8.4” (W) x 1.6” (H) | Weighs: 7.04 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best wet/dry bag

What do you do when you’re nowhere near home and you’ve got a handful of dirty cloth diapers and soiled clothes? Grab one of these totes, which separately store wet and dry items in the same bag. Sealed seams prevent wicking and leaking, and a snap handle makes it a breeze to carry.

Dimensions: 12” (L) x .05” (W) x 15” (H) | Weighs: 3.2 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best portable wipes dispenser

When it comes to on-the-go diaper changes and post-meal cleanups, you’ll likely have your hands full. This is why OXO designed a dispenser that, with a one-handed push of the button, reveals a large opening for easy access to wipes. The handy strap and slim shape mean you can hang it from your stroller or tuck it neatly into your bag. Dimensions: 1.5” (L) x 6.2” (W) x 11.3” (H) | Weighs: 4.9 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best travel potty seat

Thanks to this cool design, potty training doesn’t have to stop just because you’re out and about. When nature calls, unfold this travel potty seat and place it on any adult-sized toilet to create a smaller, more comfortable seat for your kiddo. Then, simply wipe it clean, fold it back up and place it in the included travel bag.

Dimensions: 13.75” (L) x 11” (W) x 0.75” (H) | Weighs: 12.8 oz. | Maximum capacity: 50 lbs.

Best travel white noise machine

If you’re traveling with a little one who’s still lulled by white noise, this is a must-have. It has all the features you’d want in a sound machine—a variety of white noise and sound options, volume control, long battery life and a lock—all in a compact, highly portable design. There’s even a clip to hang it from baby’s stroller or car seat.

Dimensions: 3.5” (L) x 3.75” (W) x 1.75” (H) | Weighs: 6.72 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best travel nursing pillow

Nursing pillows are the perfect companion to long breastfeeding sessions—and this one is ideal for on-the-go moms. The unique sling style offers you and baby support, with the distinct advantage of folding into a convenient travel bag, thanks to its slim, lightweight design.

Dimensions: 22” (L) x 3.5” (W) x 5” (H) | Weighs: 1 lb. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best baby bottle

Bottles are essential baby travel gear for families with newborns or infants. Our favorites are these from Phillips Avent, which have natural response nipples that allow baby to control their feeding pace. They also have a no-drip design, making them perfect for taking out and about.

Dimensions: 2.8” (L) x 8.39” (W) x 6.54” (H) | Weighs: 11.04 oz. | Maximum capacity: 9 fl. oz.

Best insulated food jar

If your little one has moved onto solids , this insulated food jar is the perfect way to keep their food fresh while you’re not at home. The container keeps contents warm for seven hours and cold for five—plus, it even comes with built-in utensils for an on-the-move meal.

Dimensions: 3.5” (L) x 4.7” (W) x 3.5” (H) | Weighs: 8.2 oz. | Maximum capacity: 11 fl. oz.

Best formula and snack dispenser

Keep snacktime contained with this handy container. It seals shut for ultimate freshness and is complete with removable inner sections that let you pack different snacks all in one place. What’s more, its convenient spout makes formula storage and transfer a breeze.

Dimensions: 3.94” (L) x 3.94” (W) x 6.10” (H) | Weighs: 3.68 oz. | Maximum capacity: 27 fl. oz.

Best portable baby bath

Baby is practically guaranteed to make a mess wherever you go—but a portable tub will help you deal with the aftermath. This lightweight one by Stokke folds completely flat, so you can easily fit it in your luggage.

Dimensions: 33” (L) x 10” (W) x 20” (H) | Weighs: 9.5 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 46 pounds

Best pacifier clip

Trying to keep a pacifier in baby’s mouth and off the yucky sidewalk (and all other dirty surfaces) can be next to impossible—that is, without a pacifier clip. This one is a traveling parent’s best friend, thanks to its soft (and washable!) design and easy-to-use plastic clip. This pack of six will have you covered for many adventures with baby to come.

Dimensions: 6.3” (L) x 5.43” (W) x 0.71” (H) | Weighs: 1.58 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best baby travel toy

Last but certainly not least on our list of baby travel essentials is this best-selling car seat toy. Your little one will love how it’s super-soft and features plenty of engaging textures, patterns and activities to explore. On the other hand, you’ll love the convenient clip-on design that keeps it within baby’s reach—perfect for when you’re driving, or traveling in general. It’s easy to see why it has tens of thousands of glowing Amazon reviews !

Dimensions: 5.3” (L) x 2.8” (W) x 11.5” (H) | Weighs: 15.36 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

How We Chose the Best Baby Travel Essentials

We get it—parenting requires a lot of gear, and it can be hard to find the best fit for your family every time. To streamline your shopping (and packing) experience, we browsed baby travel essentials from an array of leading baby brands and trusted online retailers. We considered a list of criteria when sourcing products, such as ease of use, weight, size, portability, quality and durability, value, style and, of course, safety. We also read user reviews to understand how these products have worked for real families on the go, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. What’s more, we also looked for products that meet IATA requirements or have Aircraft Certification where applicable.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here .

Plus, more from The Bump:

12 Awesome Car Seat Toys for Families on the Go

The 5 Best Infant Car Seats

30 Tips to Keep in Mind When Traveling With an Infant

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Baby Travel Essentials: Packing Checklist for an Infant Under 6 Months

Traveling with a baby? Wondering what to pack when traveling with an infant under 6 months? Use this  baby travel essentials  checklist to help you plan for your next trip. 

While you may be tempted to bring all the baby items you use at home, you don’t need to. These are our favorite must-have baby items that we use to make road trips with an infant under six months easier. 

Baby Travel Essentials – The Ultimate Baby Packing List 

We like to pack light, but on our first getaway to the coast, we brought a lot of stuff. Jayden was only a few weeks old, so we packed the car with everything we thought we might need.

It turns out; it was a bit much. After a few trips, we’ve narrowed it down to the basics. 

• Baby Carrier  – A baby carrier is essential if you want to take a break from the stroller. It’s perfect for beach days and long walks. 
• Stroller/Pram  – We spent a lot of time researching the best strollers for newborns, babies, and toddlers, and we love our Uppababy Cruz. It’s lightweight and compact. 
• Travel Bassinet /Travel Crib – For cozy sleeps 
• Blanket/Swaddles – Need to keep your baby warm? Something to block the sun in the car? Want to wipe up spilled milk? Use a swaddle. 
• Baby bouncer  – Our newborn loves this one!
• Long sleeve + Short sleeve Onesies
• Socks  

Baby Car Travel Essentials for Road Trips 

• Car Seat – Your baby may love sleeping as soon as you start driving; bring some toys to keep him/her entertained just in case. 
• First Aid Kit  – You never know when you may need it. 
• Sunshades to block the sun while you’re in the car. 
• Diaper Bag 

What We Bring in Our Diaper Bag

Our diaper bag goes wherever we go. That’s why we keep it stocked with all the must-haves we love to use. Don’t forget to bring a change of clothes and some jammies to keep your baby warm. When I added a wet/dry bag to my  registry , I didn’t realize how much we would use it. It’s perfect for trips to the beach. 

What to pack in your Diaper Bag: 

• Diapers/Nappies
• Diaper Rash Cream
• Change of Clothes
• Sun Hat 
• Wet/Dry Bag 
• Baby Bottle
• Burp Cloths 
• Change Pad 

Baby Travel Essentials: Feeding

• Breast Pump  – I also love the  Haakaa  and find that I don’t need our Medela breast pump all the time, but it’s nice to have the option. 
• Milk Storage Containers 
• Bottle Brush
• Bottle Cleaner
• Baby Food – Our little one is not eating solids yet. 

Baby Travel Gear For Beach Trips 

• Towel 
• Sun Protective Clothing  
• Blankets 
• Beach Toys 

Shop Essential Baby Travel Items

Travel tips for parents.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway with your baby, or a longer trip, take the time to prepare for the adventure. 

• Don’t wait until the last minute to pack. 
• Keep an extra change of clothes handy because you never know when you might need to change. 
• Plan your route and check traffic before you leave. 
• Do your homework, and take note of any places where you could stop if your baby wants to feed or needs a diaper change. 
• Check the weather. 
• Leave early and expect to be late. 
• Take a break when you or your baby needs to.  
• Schedule feeds before you walk out the door, and change diapers/nappies just before you leave. 

What are your must-have baby travel essentials for newborns, babies, and toddlers? Leave your ideas in the comments to share with other parents who love to travel. 

You may also like:

• Cake Maternity Review: Ethical, Comfy + Supportive Lingerie
• Best Gender Neutral Baby Clothes Brands To Shop Online
• Baby’s Favorite Things: 4 Months

1 thought on “Baby Travel Essentials: Packing Checklist for an Infant Under 6 Months”

Thanks for sharing this awesome checklist Alex! Travelling with kids can be overwhelming and tedious. Having these essentials somehow lightens the workload.

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Packing List for Baby: What to Bring and What to Leave at Home + PRINTABLE

Kimberly Miles

That first trip with a baby can feel a little overwhelming. Never fear! We’ve been there and used our experience to create this packing list for baby. It will ensure you have ALL of the things you will need and NONE of the things you won’t!

I’ll never forget that first major trip I took with my son. He was barely 2 years old and I thought it was a good idea to spontaneously book a last-minute trip to Puerto Rico. Did I mention that I had never flown with him before?

Needless to say, I immediately began to stress out. With just a matter of days left before our flight, I had to quickly figure it all out: What should I pack? What should I leave at home? What if I forgot something that couldn’t be replaced when I arrived? Talk about overwhelming! A baby packing list with the things I definitely needed, the things I may need and the things did not need would have been helpful.

Thankfully, we survived. And I learned exactly what baby gear needed to be (and what didn’t need to be) on our baby packing list for future trips.

Whether you’re headed on your  first road trip with your baby  or first flight , here I share the must-have items to put on your travel packing list for baby (plus recommendations), as well as the things you can leave at home.

Packing List for Baby: Essential Travel Gear

Don’t forget these travel essentials to help you get to, from and around your destination:

• Car seat dolley
• Umbrella stroller
• Stroller gate check bag
• Baby carrier
• Large diaper bag backpack
• Baby travel bag

If you need to know which brand of travel stroller to buy, check out our recommendations.

If traveling by car, you will need to have a car seat. If traveling by plane and you don’t mind buying a second seat for baby, having your own car seat can keep your baby comfortable and feeling “at home” throughout the flight. I used a car seat the first time I traveled and flew with my son and by the end of the flight he was fast asleep.

Car Seat Dolley

This is a lifesaver for anyone who needs to  fly with a baby and their car seat. Traveling with a car seat is enough of a pain, but managing both luggage and a stroller means you can quickly find yourself in over your head! A rolling car seat doesn’t just make it easy to pull the seat through the airport, but can also free up one of your hands if you choose to use it as a stroller.

My personal favorite is the Go-Go Babyz Travelmate, which made traveling with my son a breeze, especially as a single mom.

• Umbrella Stroller

When  traveling with a baby , you’ll want to make sure you pack the most lightweight and portable, yet functional, stroller possible. A single or double umbrella stroller checks all of those boxes.

There are several brands that offer sturdy umbrella strollers with sun covers as well as undercarriage storage and detachable cup holders, which will help with holding extra items while keeping your little one comfortable.

• Stroller Gate Check Bag

If flying, you’ll want to keep your stroller clean and protected during the flight with a gate check bag. When I would fly with my son’s stroller, I used the Angel Babyz Stroller Gate Check Bag. It’s sturdy, but its real super power is a shoulder strap that made carrying it around the airport a breeze.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Save on luggage fees and boarding hassles by stuffing jackets or other small lightweight items that you don’t need on the plane into your stroller gate check bag!

Baby Carrier

If your baby likes to be worn, a baby carrier is super helpful when you need two hands to lug around luggage and strollers. My son used to love being worn in his  Baby Bjorn  when I needed to get things done but wasn’t in a place to put him down.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Make sure to check airline rules about whether you are allowed to wear your baby in the carrier while in flight.

Large Diaper Bag Backpack

When traveling with a baby, using a large diaper bag backpack for all of baby’s belongings versus a shoulder bag is highly recommended. A backpack will free up both of your hands, puts much less stress on your body, and doesn’t get in the way of wearing a baby carrier! A backpack also keeps things nice and organized, making passing through TSA a breeze.

Nowadays, you can even find multi-functional backpacks that convert into a portable baby travel bassinet and have a built-in phone charging station.

Baby Travel Bag

Sometimes a backpack doesn’t quite fit everything, especially if you need more space for larger items such as baby blankets and multiple sets of clothing (especially if you have more than one kiddo). In that case, you’ll want to bring along a large baby travel bag to keep everything together.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Keep liquids toward the top of the bag for easy passing through TSA.

What you can leave off of your essentials packing list for baby:

• Bulky car seats (especially if you don’t plan on driving)
• Bulky convertible strollers

Packing List for Baby: Clothing and Diapering

Traveling with a baby means dirty diapers and messes! Don’t forget these must-have clothing and diapering items in your luggage:

• Extra baby clothes
• Change of clothing for mom/dad
• Diapers and wipes
• Diaper changing pads

Extra Baby Clothes

When packing your bag, include plenty of extra baby clothes for the trip. When traveling with my son, I would always pack two extra sets of clothes (including the onesies and booties) for each travel day, plus an additional two outfits just in case.

You never know when you’ll have a diaper blow-out or when the baby food or milk will spill. It will save you stres and embarrassment if you have plenty of extras handy.

Change of Clothing for You

I learned this the hard way when my son had a major blow out in a restaurant, leaving my shirt sleeve covered in– you know what. Make sure you pack at least one extra shirt for you along with the baby’s change of clothes in the diaper bag or carry-ons for those unexpected messes.

Disposable diapers and wipes

Make sure you pack enough diapers to get you through your trip, or at least until you can get to the next store to stock up. When flying, pack more than you think you’ll need. The last thing you want is to be mid-air and run out of diapers! Don’t forget the diaper cream and baby wipes.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Bring plenty of Ziploc bags to lock in the smells and messes before you put them in a public restroom or lavatory garbage bin. It’s one of the best uses of Ziploc bags for traveling! 

Diaper Changing Pads

When traveling with a baby, you never know when a diaper change will need to happen. Public baby changing stations aren’t the most sanitary, and sometimes one isn’t available at all. That’s where portable diaper changing pads come to the rescue! Many diaper bags and backpacks come with a built-in diaper changing pad, but you can also find separate ones with baby wipe holders such as the MuppyKap Portable Changing Pad . Also, disposable changing pads are an option for easy clean up.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Before you board a flight with a baby, read these very thorough directions for changing a diaper on a plane ! You’re welcome.

What you can leave off of your packing list for baby:

• Cloth diapers (especially when a washer/dryer is not available)
• Too many disposable diapers

Packing List for Baby: Nursing and Feeding

A well-fed baby is a happy baby! Be sure to pack these nursing and feeding items in your carry-on and luggage:

• Bibs and burp cloths
• Breast pump and breast milk storage bags
• Breastfeeding cover
• Baby bottles
• Sippy cup and utensils
• Baby food and snacks
• Portable high chair

Bibs and Burp Cloths

Extra bibs and burp cloths are a diaper bag must-have on any regular day. But when traveling with baby, you’ll want to pack even more for each day — especially if you won’t have access to a washer and dryer.

Breast Pump and Breast Milk Storage Bags

If you’re breastfeeding your baby , make sure you bring along a breast pump, including a manual pump such as the Philips Avent Free Comfort Manual Breast Pump for when outlets and batteries aren’t available. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of breast milk storage bags in your diaper bag as well as your carry-on.

Breastfeeding Cover

For those times that you need to breastfeed in public and want privacy, you won’t want to forget to pack a breastfeeding cover.

Baby Bottles

Be sure to pack enough baby bottles for your trip and a bottle brush for cleaning, if you need it. When flying, stick with smaller baby bottles for your carry-on to prevent any issues with TSA. Smaller bottles also take up much less space!

If your baby still uses pacifiers, make sure you have plenty on hand, plus extras in case one of them gets dirty or goes missing altogether. My son was notorious for throwing his pacifier on the floor while I was driving, so it was nice to have a new one handy in the diaper bag to give to him. Pacifiers will also come in handy during ear-popping flight take-offs and landings.

Sippy Cup and Utensils

Having a sippy cup on hand is a must-have for mess-free road trips as well as flights. An empty cup has been extremely helpful when flying with my son. When the flight attendants come through for beverage service I can pour his drink in his own enclosed cup and know that it won’t end up all over me, the tray or on the floor (or worse, someone else). If they’re old enough to use their own utensils, don’t forget to pack those as well.

Baby Food and Snacks

Assuming they’re eating solids and old enough to feed themselves, don’t forget to bring enough baby food to last you through the trip (or at least until you can stop to buy more). You’ll also want to bring along some of their favorite bite-sized snacks for the car or plane ride. When flying with my son, I would always make sure to bring along lollipops for the ear-popping plane rides.

Portable High Chair

For easy feeding while at the beach, camping, or even in your hotel room, a portable high chair is a must-have on your packing list, especially during road trips. However, if flying, it may be better off to save yourself the trouble and leave it at home.

• Large baby bottles
• High chair (when flying)

Packing List for Baby: Bath Time and Health

Don’t leave home without these essential items for the the bathroom and beyond:

• Portable bathtub
• Travel potty seat
• First aid kit
• Medication & Documentation

Don’t forget to pack along the essential toiletries such as baby bath soap, baby lotion and a baby toothbrush.

Portable Bathtub

This is one of those items that you can take or leave depending on your trip. If you’re going camping or traveling somewhere without a bathtub, a portable bathtub is certainly handy.

For a lightweight, easy to transport bathtub, I recommend an inflatable bathtub such as the Goodking Baby Inflatable Bathtub . As a bonus, it can also be used as a baby pool! However, if where you are going has a tub or large sink, it may be better to save the space and leave at home.

Travel Potty Seat

For potty training little ones, a portable travel potty seat is good to have on the packing list. I recommend the  BlueSnail 2-in-1 Travel Potty  which is foldable, has a storage bag, and also has a seat ring that can be used alone.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Read all of our tips for potty training while traveling, including why you should pack Post-It-Notes! 

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit with medications, Band-Aids, ointments and necessary travel documentation is an absolute must-have on the packing list for baby.

In my family, my son’s Epi-Pen as well as a list from the doctor of all of his allergies go in a plastic bag and are packed in my carry-on. In addition, I pack travel-size bottles as well as a syringe or dosing cup for medications such as Benadryl and Tylenol.

• Portable bathtub (when traveling somewhere with a tub or large sink)

Packing List for Baby: Play and Sleep

From playtime to bedtime, make sure you’re well-prepared with these items in your luggage:

• Baby blankets
• Baby travel bassinet
• Travel crib
• Portable toddler bed and toddler travel bedding
• Baby books and toys
• Airplane toys for toddlers

Baby Blankets

To keep your baby warm and comfortable, make sure to pack a baby blanket (bring their favorite, if they have one). Baby blankets are also make good nursing covers!

• Travel Crib

If driving, it may be helpful to bring along a baby travel crib especially if a crib is not provided at your destination. When my son was an infant, the  Graco Travel Lite Crib came in handy as a lightweight and portable crib, bassinet and Pack-n-Play all in one. If a crib is available at your destination, you can leave this at home– just don’t forget to bring your own crib sheets!

Portable Toddler Bed and Toddler Travel Bedding

For camping trips and hotel rooms without separate beds, a portable toddler bed is a must-have on the packing list. An inflatable toddler bed like the  Little Sleepy Head Toddler Inflatable Bed  is easy to pack, lightweight and comes with its own carrying bag. A portable sleep mat such as the  Urban Infant Bulkie Kids All-Purpose Sleep Mat  keeps all of your toddler travel bedding in one place.

Baby Toys and Books

To keep your baby happy whether in the air or on the road, be sure to pack a few of their favorite lightweight toys and books in your carry-on and luggage.

Airplane Toys for Toddlers

Packing along toys and books to play with is a good way to keep older babies and toddlers distracted during road trips and plane rides as well as during the trip itself. I would always purchase a brand new toy for my son to surprise him and pique his interest during trips when he started to get bored, antsy or fussy.

If you don’t mind a little screen time for your little one, a kid-friendly tablet such as the  Leapfrog Epic is an excellent way to help them pass some time.

• Heavy books
• Bulky blankets
• Baby monitor (unless they will be sleeping in a separate room)
• Travel crib (if a crib is provided at your destination)

Packing List for Baby: Beach Time

Ready for some fun in the sun? Make sure your beach trip is an enjoyable and comfortable one for baby by packing these items:

• Swim diapers
• Sand-proof beach blanket
• Beach umbrella

If you know a trip to the pool or beach is on the itinerary, make sure you have packed a couple of swimsuits, sunhat and plenty of sunscreen that is safe for babies. If including sunscreen in your carry-on, make sure it’s the appropriate travel size (3oz) to get through security!

Swim Diapers

Swim diapers are a must-have for both beach and pool time. Make sure you pack plenty in your luggage for those days that you head to the beach or pool with the family.

Sand-Proof Beach Blanket

One of the most used beach items for beach days with my son is a large sand-proof beach blanket such as the  BREENHILL Beach Blanket . A sand proof beach blanket provides a place for the little ones to rest and play and is easy to clean and pack away at the end of your beach day.

If you’re driving your own car and have the space, don’t forget to also take along a beach umbrella to keep the entire family cool while enjoying your beach day.

You’ll want to bring along plenty of beach toys for playing and exploring the sand and water. Foldable beach toys are both sturdy and easy for carrying along in your luggage without taking up much space.

Packing List for Baby: Miscellaneous

Your baby packing list won’t be complete without including these items in your carry-on:

• Birth certificate and passport
• Chargers and cables
• Wet wipes and hand sanitizer
• Plastic bags

Birth Certificate and Passport

If traveling by plane and/or internationally, these items are a must-have. Otherwise, it is always better to carry a copy for your baby’s identification.

When I travel with my son, I keep all of our important documents organized in one place with a “travel wallet” such as the Valante Premium Family Travel Document Organizer .

Chargers and Cables

This should perhaps be one of the first items to pack, because you won’t want to be left stranded somewhere with a dead phone battery or unable to use any of your electronics. Before closing up your luggage make sure you have chargers for your phone, tablet, breast pump and baby monitor.

Having a portable charging battery such as the  Anker Powercore is a must-have for when you need to recharge but aren’t near an outlet.

Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer

Antibacterial wipes and/or hand sanitizer will always come in handy for cleaning hands as well as surfaces. When traveling or on a plane, they are a must as you won’t always be able to get up and wash your hands, and you don’t know how dirty the surfaces are in the airport or on the plane.

Just like wet wipes and baby wipes, you’ll want to have some small travel packs of tissues and/or a plastic bag full of tissues on you for wiping noses, or for if you get stuck in the bathroom (or elsewhere) with no tissue paper.

Plastic Bags

Having a few empty gallon-size plastic Ziploc bags with you will come in handy for separating clothing, holding open snacks/food, storing soiled clothing and keeping trash. Keeping items stored in plastic bags also makes it easier to go through security as well as repack your bag after security.

Want a printable checklist? Print out the baby packing checklist below to make sure you don’t forget a thing:

Travel Gear:

Clothing and Diapering:

Nursing and Feeding:

Bathtime and Health:

Play and Sleep:

Beach Time:

Miscellaneous:

Did we forget anything? Share what other baby items you would bring on your family vacation in the comments!

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Your Checklist for Baby Travel: Packing List + Spreadsheet Download!

Last Updated: May 16, 2023

Traveling with a baby is more doable than you might think. Especially in the early months it can be much easier in a lot of ways, than traveling with a toddler. Traveling with a baby that’s not on the move yet, not eating solids (even easier packing, if you’re breastfeeding!), and they always seem to have a nap coming up. And since babies fly free (excluding taxes and fees) until they’re two years old, now is the time to book up those trips! So here’s a checklist for traveling with a baby, what to bring, check, carry-on, and my overall baby travel packing list.

Our first international trip was to New Zealand when our baby was 5 months old. And then most of our trips were smaller flights out to Hawaii and Florida to visit family. So here’s what I’ve learned about packing for a baby. While having a baby travel checklist helps you not forget anything important, it can also help you realize what items you can do without to travel more minimally!

Baby Travel Packing List

You can download my spreadsheet or just check out the full checklist below. Remember you’re going to have roughly the same needs as at home, just hopefully able to pack less and use things for multiple purposes! So jump ahead to the Baby Travel Packing List Spreadsheet or read more:

• Baby Hygiene – Diapering, Bathing, & Health

Feeding on the Go

• Travel Gear
• Play & Misc

Baby Sleep:

• Travel crib – Check with where you’re staying. Many Airbnbs offer Pack’n Plays, which can save you some effort. If your sleep and sanity is gonna hinge on this sleep, just bring your own. In the first 6 months we brought our own travel crib, and then later a travel tent. We loved the 12 pound Guava Lotus Crib / Bassinet (also on our minimalist baby registry checklist !
• Crib sheets – Especially if you’re using a provided Pack n Play, bring a crib sheet from home. This helps with smells and feeling of sameness.
• Baby audio monitor – Great for being able to hear your baby, especially in a new to you space.
• White noise – We always use an old cell phone with a white noise app on it. Great for travel since it’s small. Dual purpose, add a few baby apps for flight distraction.
• Blackout room supplies – we travel with a little case of tacks and  binder clips  (in a few different sizes). This way you can make do with insufficient curtains by improvising with blankets, sheets or towels already in the room we’re staying.
• Night time pacifier – if your baby uses a pacifier.

Travel Hygiene – Diapering, Bathing, Health

• Bamboo waterproof changing pad liner:  We use these liners on our changing mat at home. For travel, we would bring one for when we arrived, along with a fold-up travel changing mat for our diaper bag. (It was part of a zip-off changing pad from a SkipHop Changing clutch – the rest of which we found too bulky for travel).
• OXO Tot On-the-Go Wipes Dispenser w/Diaper Pouch  – This wipes case has been one of our baby air travel  diapering essentials  from the start! It’s great for every day use and amazing for flights. It holds 4-5 diapers and a huge stack of wipes. We would even slide in a washable small toy when he was in that grabby stage. This helped to keep him from grabbing things in the airplane bathroom.
• Diaper cream (smallest size), hand sanitizer, travel tissue packs, antibacterial wipes, and a few rags (we like the IKEA cloths ).
• Diapers – calculate how many you’ll need. For example 9 per day x 14 days = 126 diapers. If you’re traveling domestically you should be able to find the same diapers and buy there. But take enough that you have some wiggle room of when to go to the store. Ie. bring 26, buy 100 there etc. If you’re traveling internationally, do a little bit of recon, as yes you can buy diapers anywhere. Babies do afterall populate the globe, but it might not be the diapers you want or they might be expensive. They also might be way cheaper, like we found in Norway! For New Zealand, we packed all the diapers we needed and just added them into our car seat bag. And thankfully the bag got progressively lighter as the trip went on, lol.
• Wipe packs – same as diapers. Plan what you’ll need. We typically estimated one wipe pack per week. And since our baby was pretty sensitive, we brought Water Wipes with us. Then as he got older and we could use any wipes, we would buy on arrival.
• Swim diapers – bring a couple swim diapers. It really helps to not have to buy an entire pack of swim diapers while on your trip, which you then have to pack home.
• Baby wash cloths
• baby shampoo/soap – IKEA makes a nice travel size toiletries containers.
• nail clippers
• travel laundry soap
• baby travel lotion
• baby Tylenol
• thermometer
• travel clothesline (optional but we liked our small backpacking one)

While everyone has slightly different needs when it comes to feeding, consider what you do at home and then adapt for on the go. Our baby breastfed and refused bottles so this was pretty handy for travel as we didn’t have to pack much extra feeding stuff. And not handy in the aspect that mama was the only one who could feed the baby. Ha!

• Water bottle for breastfeeding mom – flying and travel is already dehydrating and we often forget to drink enough water. This is super important especially if you’re breastfeeding – from a supply issue. Get an easy travel water bottle and even ask your partner to remind you or set a reminder on your phone etc.
• muslin blanket – I just used a muslin blanket as a burp clothes, and it also worked as a nice privacy shield for breastfeeding baby mid-flight so they actually fall asleep.
• Boppy breastfeeding pillow – While it sounds a little silly to take on a flight. This was the biggest helper! Especially on an a long-haul flight, when baby is in your arms or feeding, this pillow helped take the pressure off your arms and back.
• Boob nursing pads – don’t forget your nursing pads! Definitely helpful to not need an extra outfit change mid-flight.
• fleece baby blanket – we also brought our small fleece baby blanket to put over baby on the flight when the chilly ac came on, and doubled as a stroller wrap after we arrived if it was chilly.
• any other baby feeding items – as they get older this might include baby food pouches, baby spoon, bib, teething snacks etc.

Baby Clothing

Plan for how often you will have the chance to do laundry. And the weather where you will be. We usually planned for 2 outfits per day (laundering every 5-7 days) and re-using non-dirty pants. So a week might look like this, depending on the season:

• Onesies 14 – 11 in suitcase, 3 in diaper bag: 8 longsleeve, 4 short sleeve
• Pants 10 – 7 in suitcase, 3 in diaper bag: 8 thin, 1 thick, 1 shorts
• Jammies – 2
• Sleep sack – 1 fleece
• Socks – 10 – 8 in suitcase, 2 in diaper bag
• Drool bib bandanas
• Baby swimsuit / rashguard
• Fleece hat and booties
• Baby jacket or sweater
• Baby sun hat
• Packing divider bags – We have the older version these IKEA ones
• Dirty clothes laundry bag – IKEA often has a great drawstring laundry bag.

The biggest tip I have for outfits and flying with a baby is to make 2 or 3 “outfit packs”. This is just a onesie, pants, and socks – stacked together and put in a large ziploc bag. Which you’ll then have 2 or 3 of these in your diaper bag. Mid-flight blow out? Grab an outfit pack and diapering kit and head to the bathroom. Then you have a ziploc bag to put the dirty stuff in. And it’s just so much easier than digging through all your diaper bag looking for a change of clothes for baby. Especially if you’re flying solo with a baby!

Travel Gear:

I’ve already covered all the best baby travel gear , which overlaps with this packing list. These items really depend on what you use, what you’ll need when you get there (eg. renting a car vs taking public transit), if you’re visiting family vs solo etc. Here are all the items we’ve needed depending on the trip.

• Car seat – the only time we didn’t need a carseat was when visiting family who had an extra, and then we had a friend drop us off at the airport (in our car). And again going to Scandinavia just before age 2 we went without a carseat, since we weren’t renting a car.
• Car seat bag – if you’re taking a car seat, definitely get a car seat bag to keep it in nice shape. You can also stuff in a few things like diapers if needed. (note: some airlines might hassle you about this. I’ve never had this issue).
• Stroller – a travel stroller is great, but in the first year, we actually flew all over with our BOB jogging stroller. Depending on the trip and how much your baby likes to be in your stroller in everyday life, it might be worth the hassle of flying with it. For us it was, since that meant we could guarantee that we would get on-the-go naps out of it! Which allowed us a lot more freedom while traveling as the baby could be napping “hands free!” in the stroller. By around one, he would nap in our travel stroller the same way.
• Babywearing carrier – if you babywear at home, you’ll want to bring your carrier. This was especially nice on the flight for baby to chill out and nap and be close in when he wasn’t on the boppy pillow. And also gave my partner the ability to carry him around and snuggle easier.
• Large suitcase – In the first year, we found taking one medium checked suitcase ( 25″ hardside roller ) to be the easiest route. We packed all our stuff in one which was also easier for getting to and from the airport with all the other gear vs having more smaller luggage. As we approached two years old, and needed fewer baby items, it became easier to just take two carry-on bags again.
• Grown-up backpack – our other carry-on backpack was for stuff for us – snacks, book, electronics etc. Much easier to not be sorting through baby stuff.
• Diaper bag backpack – All the stuff for on the go diaper, feeding and baby entertainment. Plus outfit changes.
• Packable tote bag – We also brought one canvas or packable shopping tote to put the babycarrier, boppy pillow or anything else that needed containing after we got on the flight. Sometimes it seems like a clown car like where did all this stuff come from.
• Thicker blanket or play mat – we brought an Aiden and Anais Dream blanket so baby could have a place to roll around.
• Toy pouch – whatever baby is currently loving plus a surprise or two For example: spinning wheel toy , paci lovy , taggy blanket , rattle, teether , “mirror” from a baby book, mini indestructible book etc.
• Extra muslin blanket for laying down on dirty floors like at airport or on the go (so you don’t get your nicer blanket filthy.)

Baby Travel Packing List Spreadsheet

You can also download the spreadsheet here .

One of the things I found challenging when packing for our first big trip with baby was that I had a huge pile of stuff, plus a few reminder notes about things I also needed, but I quickly realized that I needed to know where I was packing things. Especially for a long haul flight, I couldn’t have half of our essentials in a checked bag. So I created this spreadsheet to track not only what to pack (by category), but where it would be packed (carry-on diaper bag vs checked luggage etc).

I’ve also added in a basic worksheet to list out your baby routine – what time your baby is generally doing things on a typical day at home (napping, feeding etc) and then how that would line up with your flight. Everyone will tell you “oh baby will sleep on the flight!” Maybe, maybe not! And probably not if baby doesn’t generally sleep at that time of day! But the good news is for young babies, the next nap or feeding is usually just around the next corner.

What I love about using a spreadsheet as my checklist for baby travel, is that by the time your second trip comes around, you have a useful list to jog your memory. And just like my family camping checklist , it makes packing way easier. Which ultimately, makes it easier to say “yes!” to travel.

I hope you enjoy your first trip with baby and have found this baby travel packing list helpful!

Further Reading...

27 Baby Items You Don’t Need: What NOT to Put on Baby Registry

Scandinavia Itinerary with Kids: Denmark, Sweden, Norway & Trip Cost

Kiwico vs Lovevery: Which Baby Subscription Box is Better?

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Checklist For Travel With Baby 

By Author Vicky Smith

Posted on Last updated: April 11, 2024

Travelling with a baby can be a nerve-wracking experience for parents, especially if it’s your first family trip. 

I think we can all agree that babies come with a whole lot of stuff, so you may be wondering how you’re going to make sure you have all of the essentials for your holiday without taking the kitchen sink with you! 

This ultimate checklist for travel with baby includes a guide to what to pack in your carry-on luggage for your baby as well as a complete list of essentials to remember for your holiday. 

By getting organised and planning ahead with this checklist you will ensure a stress-free trip and holiday for your family! 

You may also find my article about the best age to travel with a baby useful and my checklist for travel with a toddler .

This post contains affiliate links.

What to pack in your airplane carry-on bag for baby 

If you’re set for a long or short plane journey then you’ll want to be fully prepared for the trip. 

It’s nerve-wracking when you know you’re going to be trapped in a small space with people who may not think your baby’s constant gurgling, and occasional crying, is that cute. 

Getting all of the right stuff in place is definitely a huge part of the battle. Otherwise there’s only so much you can control when it comes to babies and how they behave on the plane! 

The key things to try to pre-empt are hunger, boredom and ear pain. You can help with the ear pain – when the plane is taking off and landing – with bottles, dummies or breastfeeding. Sucking and having a drink can help. 

Make sure you have plenty of milk or food to keep your baby happy and when it comes to sleep have a plan for how you will settle them down for a snooze. Their favourite toy can help, as can ear defenders to block out the noise of the plane. 

So use this handy airplane carry-on essentials for baby checklist to get ready for the trip. 

• Nappies x25
• Wipes x2 packs 
• Portable changing mat 
• Nappy cream 
• Nappy bags or plastic bags 
• Ear defenders 
• Baby blankets x2
• Bottles x2 
• Formula milk / expressed breast milk 
• Food – x3 jars if baby is weaning 
• Pacifiers x2
• Teething ring/toy 
• Change of clothes for baby 
• Toys – books x2 and favourite soft toy 
• Hand sanitiser 

And of course don’t forget your own travel essentials for yourself including: 

Passport and tickets, plus any travel forms you need to fill out 

• Camera 
• Phone charger 
• Headphones 
• Spare top for you – in case of baby spit-up

Checklist for travel with baby 

This list has everything you need for a one-week holiday – however it will also work for two weeks as long as you’re happy to do some laundry. 

In terms of clothes it’s sensible to bring at least one outfit per day for when you are there. This list includes babygros and onesies, however that assumes your baby may need layers for where you are going. 

You may also like: Guide to the different types of baby clothes

If you are heading somewhere tropical then during the day they may just wear a onesie (which leaves the arms and legs open to the air). However bear in mind if you are staying somewhere with air conditioning they may get chilly at nighttime. 

Under clothes we’ve added dressy outfits, for evenings out. This could be a dress or a pair of shorts and a top. Of course you may choose to keep it simple with the clothes and stick to onesies and babygros, especially if your baby is very young. 

Want a free printable PDF of this list? Just scroll down to the end of this post to grab a copy.

Sleep and travel

These are the essentials for your baby’s nap times and bedtime, as well as for getting out and about. If they have a comforter or favourite toy then bring that along, but it’s always a risk when travelling with something your baby is very attached to. We have lost beloved comforters a couple of times and it’s always tricky.

You can get around this by purchasing multiple versions of the same comforter. Make sure you wash and switch them out regularly so they look just as worn and loved as each other!

• Munchkin Baby Travel Pod – this is amazing for day trips but also works as a cheap travel bed for small babies.
• Foldable travel cot mattress – travel cots come with a mattress but some people find these quite hard, so you may wish to include a foldable travel cot mattress to ensure comfort. 
• Travel cot fitted sheet x3
• Blankets x2 
• Baby sleeping sack x2 
• Favourite toy
• Baby monitor – the Baby Sense gets great reviews from travelling parents!
• Car seat – whether you want to take a car seat really depends on how you will travel to and from the airport when you arrive at your destination.
• Lightweight stroller 
• Baby carrier 

These are the key items you need for washing and changing your baby. Don’t forget to pack any medications they are taking.

If you want to save space on nappies then check whether where you are staying is close to a supermarket where you can stock up on wipes and nappies when you are there.

• Baby bath and hair wash 
• Baby moisturiser 
• Nail clippers 
• Wipes x5 packs 
• Nappies (8 per day of your trip)
• Nappy sacks 
• Bath towel 
• Nightlight 
• Medications (including baby painkiller) 

Clothing 

When it comes to clothes you can keep it simple if where you are travelling to is very hot. Your baby may prefer being in just a nappy when they are at the beach.

Keep their skin covered as much as possible when they are in the sun, with sun hats and light layers.

• Babygros x7
• Dressy outfits x3
• Hat x2 (summer/winter, depending on climate of where you are going)
• Sunglasses – some babies won’t keep them on but an older baby may be OK wearing shades
• Cardigans/sweaters x3
• Pramsuit/coat x1 (if travelling somewhere cold)
• Swim suit 
• Swim nappies 
• Hair accessories – bows, hair ties etc 
• Baby clothing hand wash detergent 

Feeding 

Your baby’s feeding supplies are an important part of your packing. A handy bottle or cool bag can help to keep food and milk cool when out and about on a warm day.

You can get very compact high chairs for travelling, such as this cool one that fits into a pouch , in order to save you space when travelling.

• Travel high chair  – rather than being big and bulky like the high chairs you use at home, go for a small seat that attaches securely to regular dining chairs so your baby can eat on the go
• Cutlery 
• Sippy cup 
• Baby food – calculate how many meals for your trip and pack accordingly with spares. You could avoid packing this if you research what is available at your destination. If there are easily accessible supermarkets or your hotel can provide baby food then you may be able to save space in your bag!
• Bottle/food cool bag 
• Ice packs 
• Breast pump 
• Bottle brush 
• Steriliser 

Day trip essentials 

If you are going somewhere sunny then these day trip essentials are perfect for trips to the beach and water parks.

• Beach towel 
• UV sun tent  – these are really brilliant with older kids too. It provides a safe and shady spot for kids to get out of the sun and take a nap on the beach.
• Baby sun cream 
• Snacks 
• First aid kit – plasters, sting/bite cream, teething gel

Can I take a car seat on a plane?

Some airlines will allow you to take a car seat with you onto a plane if you would like to place your baby in there to sleep. However you will need to purchase an extra ticket, as EasyJet outlines in their guidance.

You may also find the car seat must: 

• Be an FAA or TUV approved car seat – meaning it is appropriate for travel on an aircraft
• Be designed to be secured by a lap belt 
• Not exceed the dimensions of the plane seat
• Be forward facing – some airlines allow forward and rear facing car seats so always check beforehand

Some airlines will allow a baby under two to fly for free – always double check the rules with the airline as more than one child under two can sometimes mean you will be charged. Sometimes there is a small fee involved even if your baby doesn’t have a seat (for easyJet the fee is £25 for example). 

Some airlines may have their own car seats. 

It’s always best to check with your airline before your fly so it’s clear they will allow your car seat on board, or what provisions that have for babies. 

Do be aware of the guidance relating to safe baby sleep, as the NHS states car seats shouldn’t be used for long sleep periods .

Some airlines will allow you to check an additional two items into the hold if you are travelling with a baby. That may include a lightweight stroller, car seat or high chair for example. 

How to pack for travelling with a baby

One thing to check before you make any plans is what the accommodation you are travelling to will provide. 

Many family-friendly destinations will provide you with a lot of essentials to make life so much easier for you. 

Typical items that many hotels and rental holiday cottages may provide include: 

• Travel cot 
• Towels 
• High chair 
• Baby cutlery and bowls (if property has a kitchen) 
• Baby monitor 

If you’re unsure of what will be included in the room then check with the agent or company who you booked through. 

Most holiday accommodation will state upfront what essentials are included in your room. 

Avoiding travelling with large items like a high chair and travel cot makes life so much easier!

If you’re unsure that where you are heading to will include all of these essential items then try to minimise what you take. 

For example can you use a baby carrier for a week instead of a pushchair? If the pushchair is absolutely essential then can you use that as a high chair so your baby has their meals in it while you are away? You can line the pushchair with a giant muslin (like this one) during meal times to keep it clean. 

If you want to take some form of chair for your child to feed in then consider a small booster seat that fits to adult dining chairs. Some fold away into small pouches for handy travel. 

Download the travel packing checklist to help you organise your holidays planning here:

Final thoughts on packing for baby’s first holiday

I hope you’re now feeling prepared for your baby’s first holiday. Getting organised ahead of your departure is definitely key to enjoying a stress-free journey for your whole family.

You may also enjoy this article about taking your baby to the beach .

Happy travels!

Essential Tips for First-Time Parents Traveling with Baby

A s a first-time parent, the prospect of traveling with your little bundle of joy can be both thrilling and daunting. From packing the essentials to exploring unfamiliar territories , the experience can seem overwhelming. However, with the right preparation and mindset, your first family adventure can be a cherished memory. 

This guide will share essential tips tailored for first-time parents, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey for you and your baby. You will be guided through every step, from creating a packing checklist to selecting baby-friendly accommodations and engaging in baby-friendly activities at your destination. Begin this new chapter with confidence and create lasting memories.

Packing Essentials for Your Baby

Proper packing establishes the foundation for a successful trip with your baby. While the idea of packing light may seem appealing, it’s crucial to prioritize your baby’s needs. Start by creating a checklist of essentials, including:

• Diapers and wipes (pack extras, just in case)
• Baby food, formula, and feeding equipment
• Compact, multi-functional gear like a travel stroller or baby carrier
• Familiar items from home, such as a favorite blanket or toy, to soothe your baby in new environments.

Baby-Friendly Activities While Traveling

Exploring a new destination with your baby offers a wonderful bonding experience. Here are some baby-friendly activities to consider:

Family Fishing Trips

Fishing can be a peaceful bonding experience, teaching your little one patience and an appreciation for nature. Ensure you have life jackets and avoid overcrowded or hazardous areas. Consider a charter boat for fishing to ensure a safe and equipped environment, especially helpful for those new to the activity. 

Many fishing charter boats offer amenities and services that cater to families, making your experience comfortable and enjoyable. Searching for fishing rentals near me gives you additional options in finding well-equipped locations for family outings.

Outdoor Picnics

A relaxing way for the family to enjoy nature. Choose safe, scenic locations and pack essentials like a blanket, snacks, and toys. Outdoor picnics allow you to soak in fresh air while your baby explores the sights, sounds, and textures of the great outdoors.

Visiting Local Parks or Gardens 

Stroller-friendly paths and engaging sensory experiences for your little one. Parks and gardens offer opportunities for your baby to experience different colors, fragrances, and textures in a safe, controlled environment. Look for interactive features like water features or children’s gardens.

Beach Day Fun 

Prepare for sun safety, the best times to visit, and essential gear like a beach tent or umbrella. Introduce your baby to the sights and sounds of the ocean, but prioritize shade, sun protection, and hydration. A beach tent provides a cozy space for naps and feedings.

Exploring Zoos and Aquariums

Visit during off-peak hours and focus on areas designed for young children. Zoos and aquariums can be overwhelming for babies, so plan your visit during less crowded times. Seek out petting zoos, butterfly gardens, or interactive exhibits specially designed for little ones.

Selecting the Right Accommodations

When traveling with a baby, Choosing the right accommodations is crucial to ensure a comfortable and stress-free trip. Consider factors like proximity to attractions, amenities for families (such as cribs, and high chairs), and the overall family-friendliness of the hotel or vacation rental. 

Research thoroughly and read reviews from other families who have stayed there. Opt for accommodations with ample space, separate sleeping areas, and kitchenettes to make meal preparation easier.

Managing Feeding and Hydration on the Go

Keeping your baby well-fed and hydrated while on the move can be challenging. Pack enough formula, breast milk, snacks, and beverages for the duration of your travels, plus extra in case of delays. If breastfeeding, consider investing in a high-quality breast pump and insulated cooler bag. 

Familiarize yourself with airline and airport policies regarding carrying breast milk and formula. Seek out private nursing rooms or family restrooms for comfortable feeding sessions during layovers or extended travel.

Keeping Baby Comfortable During Transit

Long journeys can be taxing on babies, so prioritize their comfort during transit. Dress them in breathable, loose-fitting layers for easy temperature regulation. Pack familiar comfort items like favorite toys, blankets, or stuffed animals. 

Consider noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to help them sleep through loud environments. Plan for frequent breaks to stretch, change diapers, and allow for playtime. Keep essentials like diapers, wipes, and extra clothing within easy reach.

Comparison Table: Baby Travel Gear

When traveling with a baby, having the right gear can make a world of difference. Here’s a comparison table to help you choose the best options:

Preparing for Health and Safety

Traveling with a baby requires extra precautions to ensure their health and safety. Consult your pediatrician for any necessary vaccinations or travel-specific advice. Pack a well-stocked first-aid kit with baby-safe medications, a thermometer, and other essential items. 

Research local medical facilities at your destination in case of emergencies. Familiarize yourself with car seat regulations and requirements for your modes of transportation. Consider purchasing travel insurance for added peace of mind.

Streamlining Airport and In-Flight Experience

Air travel with a baby can be daunting, but proper preparation can make it smoother. Check with your airline about any infant-specific policies, such as boarding procedures, bassinets, and carry-on allowances. Arrive at the airport early to navigate the security and boarding processes. 

Pack entertainment options like books, toys, and portable games to keep your baby occupied during the flight. Request a seat with extra legroom or a bassinet if available. Be prepared for mid-air diaper changes and feedings.

Adapting to Your Destination

Upon arrival at your destination, take steps to help your baby adjust to the new environment. Maintain familiar routines for feeding, sleeping, and playtime as much as possible. Baby-proof your accommodations by securing hazards and setting up a safe play area. 

Research local resources like family-friendly restaurants, parks, and pediatric care facilities. Be mindful of cultural norms and customs regarding infant care and public spaces. Stay flexible and open to adjusting your plans as needed to prioritize your baby’s comfort and well-being.

Traveling with a baby for the first time is a remarkable journey filled with new experiences and cherished moments. By following these essential tips, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable adventure for both you and your little one. Remember, preparation is key, but also embrace the unexpected joys that come with exploring the world together. Safe and memorable travels!

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I ensure my baby’s safety and comfort when staying in a hotel? 

Booking accommodations with a separate bedroom or suite can improve infant sleep quality and safety.

• What are the essentials to pack for a baby when traveling? 

Beyond diapers and clothes, pack noise-canceling items, a portable nightlight, and familiar comfort items.

• What is the best way to handle air travel with a baby regarding ear pressure?  

Sucking on a pacifier or feeding during take-off and landing can alleviate ear pressure discomfort.

The post Essential Tips for First-Time Parents Traveling with Baby appeared first on Mom and More .

Protect Your Trip »

Cruise packing list: the essentials chosen by experts.

This cruise packing list includes all of the essentials – plus items you didn't know you needed.

Essentials to Pack for a Cruise

Packing for any trip takes some planning, but cruise vacations present a unique challenge – particularly due to limited stateroom storage space and sparse (or overpriced) options for purchasing accidentally forgotten items.

To help you decide what to pack for a cruise, we've curated a list of essentials recommended by cruise experts who regularly sail the high seas. Download the U.S. News Cruise Packing List pictured above to reference while you pack, and read on to learn more about the recommended items and where you can purchase them if needed.

• For packing and planning
• For travel and embarkation day
• For the cabin
• For the ship and shore excursions

Find your perfect cruise

Carry-on bag

Regardless of whether you bring checked luggage, you'll need some type of carry-on bag . Since checked bags need to go through security as they do at airports – and because you may need to wait for your stateroom to be ready, just like at a hotel – you'll want to be able to access any necessities pre-cruise. These might include a swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for the pools; medications; a bottle of water; and your smartphone, of course. You'll also want to keep your credit card , passport, and any other important documentation or valuables close by. A carry-on backpack works especially well since it can double as a day bag for shore excursions.

Checked bag

While you'll likely want to bring a checked bag, consider sharing one with your ship mate(s) to maximize stateroom storage space. Or, consider bringing medium-sized luggage, such as the The Medium by Away , for checking in.

Read: The Best Checked Luggage Options

Garment bag

Courtesy of Halfday

While many cruises are less formal these days, a garment bag can still be handy for keeping select garments wrinkle-free (since clothing irons are prohibited on cruise ships). Top-rated options include the The Garment Duffel by Halfday and the Briggs and Riley Baseline 22" Carry-On 2-Wheel Garment Bag , both of which double as traditional luggage. If you pack your luggage right, you can make this your only suitcase, in addition to a carry-on bag.

Packing cubes or vacuum-sealed bags

Packing cubes are one of the best ways to organize your belongings for travel – especially in a tight cruise ship cabin. Top-rated options include the Veken packing cubes on Amazon (usually priced around $20) and all of the Pack-It Sets by Eagle Creek. The Pack-It Starter Set is especially ideal for cruising since it includes a garment folder designed to minimize wrinkles in clothing. Some cruisers also swear by vacuum-sealed bags , even though they can be a bit more tedious to pack.

Carry-on caddy

Ashley Kosciolek, senior cruise writer at The Points Guy, recommends a carry-on caddy , particularly if you're flying to your embarkation point. "I have a fabric sleeve that slides down over the telescoping handle on my carry-on to provide pockets for my passport, phone, coffee – all the things I used to have to juggle during check-in."

Digital luggage scale

The compact Etekcity scale – approximately $10 on Amazon – can weigh bags up to 110 pounds and help you avoid overweight baggage fees.

Bungee cord

"Especially for travelling with the family, I use a bright-green bungee cord to strap multiple pieces of luggage together," says Aaron Saunders, senior editor at Cruise Critic. "It's a lifesaver when boarding trains or disembarking ships, particularly when you ' re maneuvering a stroller and a little one around, too."

Luggage tracker

Courtesy of Apple

A luggage tracker isn't just useful for air travel. Attach one to your checked cruise luggage to see when it has arrived in your stateroom (or if it's stalled at security). Chris Gray Faust, executive editor at Cruise Critic, doesn't go anywhere without her Apple AirTag after her luggage got stuck in Vancouver for over a week last June. "My AirTag use has expanded beyond my checked luggage, too. I also have AirTags in my handbag, my carry-on, my keychain and my wallet."

Cruise insurance

Due to the unpredictable nature of travel, cruise insurance can be a wise purchase ahead of your voyage. Travel policies can cover unforeseen expenses such as trip interruptions and medical emergencies.

While a passport is often required for cruising, rules can vary depending where you're traveling. Determine whether you need a passport for your upcoming cruise ; if you do, triple-check that you have it packed the day of departure.

Credit cards and local currency

When cruising internationally, consider getting small amounts of each country's currency to have on hand in port. Depending where you go, some local markets may only accept their own country's currency, not U.S. dollars or credit cards. It's also nice to leave cash gratuities for cab drivers, tour guides or servers; in the European Union, 1- and 2-euro coins are convenient and appropriate tips. In ports with vendors that do accept credit cards, be sure to carry a Visa or Mastercard , as some shops and restaurants do not take American Express .

RFID wallet

It's important to protect your travel documents with an RFID wallet like the TIGARI Passport Holder or the ZOPPEN RFID Travel Passport Wallet , the latter of which can hold multiple passports for a family. "Thieves and hackers can steal your credit card information just by using skimming devices," explains Jill Schildhouse, a cruise expert and U.S. News contributor who always travels with her RFID wallet. "And because your wallet wasn't even touched, you won't know it happened until you see your credit card statement."

Medications

Pack more than enough of your prescription medications as well as any over-the-counter medicines you'll need, just in case you encounter an itinerary change or travel delay. While some travelers find it easiest to bring personal medicines in their prescription bottles, others find travel pill boxes to be especially helpful for organization. The Sukuos Weekly Pill Organizer is a well-rated option, with detachable boxes for each day as well as compartments for morning and evening medications.

Sheet masks

Since flying can be so drying for the skin, Faust likes to use sheet masks. "My first step the night before I board (because you should always fly in a day early) is to hydrate with a sheet mask (usually from a Korean brand like Ballon Blanc or FaceTory )," she says. "If I'm meeting up with a friend, I bring an extra sheet mask so our trip starts out feeling a bit like a spa day!"

Magnetic hooks

A surprising fact: Cruise ship cabin walls are made of metal, which means you can optimize your storage space by hanging some of your belongings on magnetic wall hooks. The hooks are perfect for holding bulky coats or boots if you're traveling to a colder climate. You can also use them for wet gear on expedition ships and adventure cruises, or for drying out bathing suits after days at the beach or pool. Purchase a set of magnetic hooks for less than $10 on Amazon .

Like hotels, cruise ships can only provide so many hangers. Bring a few extras from home or pick up a pack from your local dollar store. You might also try packable hangers .

Wrinkle release spray

Whether or not you bring a garment bag, a travel-size bottle of wrinkle release spray, such as Downy Wrinkle Releaser spray , is useful to have on board. If you combine a spritz or two with the steam from your shower, you should be able to smooth out some of the wrinkles in your clothing.

Laundry detergent

"If you don't want to pay for laundry service or spend precious time in the self-service laundry room, bring a small bottle of laundry detergent like Woolite to wash key items in the sink: underwear, bras, quick-dry hiking shorts, bathing suits, etc.," recommends Schildhouse. "Every cruise ship shower has a retractable clothesline you can extend to drape the clothes over while they dry. This can also help cut down on the number of items you need to pack."

Over-the-door organizers

Over-the-door organizers with clear or mesh pockets allow you to find your feminine hygiene products, makeup, jewelry and other small items quickly – without having to hunt through multiple drawers or a tight stateroom closet. It's a good idea to purchase a two-pack like this option by Simple Houseware Store (available on Amazon), since you can also use one to store shoes and maximize floor space.

Courtesy of Poo-Pourri

It goes without saying, but to say it anyway: A toilet spray like Poo-Pourri is a must for your cruise packing list. Any smell – pleasant or not – will travel quickly in small staterooms with small bathrooms. Buy a travel-size bottle to keep in your cabin.

Shampoo and conditioner

Cruise experts agree it's best to bring your own shampoo and conditioner in travel-size bottles, as most cruise ships don't provide separate shampoo and conditioner anymore; instead, they offer all-in-one dispensers. Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief at Cruise Critic, likes to pack her shampoo and conditioner in the popular Cadence Capsules , noting she also uses them for another essential: sunscreen. "These capsules are easy to fill, never leak and have clear labels, which you can customize," she says.

Wine or Champagne

Most major cruise lines allow each guest to bring one to two bottles of wine or Champagne on board, while some luxury cruise lines allow even more than that. Disney Cruise Line also gives guests the option to bring a six-pack of beer instead of wine or Champagne. Be sure to consult your cruise line's policies when packing for your trip.

If you plan to bring wine or Champagne, you'll likely need a corkscrew . While some cruise lines may prohibit corkscrews, others allow them onboard; check your cruise line's policy before sailing. Bringing wine with a twistable cap may be a good alternative.

Portable humidifier

Cruise ship cabins can feel dry – especially in the colder months. A portable humidifier like the GENIANI Erie (around $25 on Amazon) can provide some relief. At about half a pound, this USB-powered device will fit neatly into your checked bag or carry-on luggage. The travel humidifier features two mist settings and has an automatic shut-off option, plus a night light to help you see around your cabin in the dark.

International travel adapter or converter

You'll likely need a travel adapter, since cruise lines homeported in international locales may have different electrical sockets and voltage strengths than you're used to in the U.S.

McDaniel recommends the OneWorld65 Travel Adapter . "I've used a lot of different travel adapters over the years, but this is my favorite. It charges up to six devices at once, has USB and mini-USB options, and works in over 200 countries," she says. "While many cruise ships have U.S. outlets, most usually also have European outlets. This adapter lets me take advantage of that outlet I'd otherwise ignore." She also notes that while cruise lines are getting better about having more outlets on their ships, it never feels like enough to keep your phone, camera battery, tablet, watch, headphones/earbuds and laptop charged (times two or more if you're traveling with others).

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Sound machine

Cruise experts agree a sound machine can be helpful for blocking out the sound of late-night partiers returning to their staterooms (or your snoring spouse). Schildhouse likes the LectroFan Micro 2 for cruising. "It plays non-looping white noise and doubles as a speaker to play tunes while you get ready for dinner."

Tech organizer

Courtesy of Bagsmart

A tech organizer like the BAGSMART electronics organizer case – available on Amazon for about $20 – can store all your cables, plugs, SD cards and earphones in one zippered, compact bag that will fit easily in your carry-on luggage. Despite its small size, it can also hold bulkier items like a small laptop charging cord.

First-aid kit

A first-aid kit is a good thing to have on hand no matter where you go. You can make your own using supplies you already have at home, or buy a premade first-aid kit on Amazon for about $20. While all cruise ships have medical facilities, it's useful to have these items with you on shore excursions, especially those involving active adventures.

Hand sanitizer

Regularly washing your hands and/or using hand sanitizer is essential to staying healthy while traveling, especially on a cruise ship. Stock up on a few travel-size bottles of hand sanitizer (less than $2 each at Walmart) ahead of your trip. If you're looking for something with less alcohol that's also less drying, check out Babyganics Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer .

If you're a parent, you know that your infant or toddler needs a very specific size – and in some cases brand – of diapers, which may very well be unavailable to you on your cruise ship or in the ports of call. Bring more than enough diapers to play it safe at sea.

Most cruise lines also require that non-toilet-trained infants and toddlers wear swim diapers in the children's water play areas. For the sake of sanitation, kids must be toilet-trained to use the pools on cruise ships.

Many cruisers like to personalize their cabin with stateroom door decor. Not only is it a fun tradition, but decorating the door can make it easier to locate your room, too. You can find lots of fun decor ideas on Pinterest as well as Amazon.

" Duct tape is a life-saver in many situations," says Kosciolek. "I primarily use it to attach my printed luggage tags, but it's also great for mending clothing issues on the fly and fixing broken luggage until you can get it back home."

"As a parent, I like to bring lanyards with sleeves so my kids can wear their keycards and not lose them," says Erica Silverstein, senior cruise editor at The Points Guy. "We hang them on the magnetic hooks I put on the wall, so they don't get lost in the cabin either."

Courtesy of Sea-Bands

If you're prone to (or think you may be prone to) motion sickness on cruise ships, put a pair of Sea-Bands on your cruise packing list. These soft wristbands use acupressure to prevent and minimize nausea and vomiting on board, and they are a reusable, drug-free alternative to traditional anti-nausea medications. You can purchase Sea-Bands on Amazon or at most drugstores.

If you need something a bit stronger than Sea-Bands (or to use in conjunction with them), Dramamine remains a tried-and-true solution for both preventing and treating sea sickness. Choose the Less Drowsy formula to avoid getting sleepy, and consider the chewable tablets (dye-free) if traveling with kids who are prone to queasiness. Many travelers like Bonine as a remedy for sea sickness as well.

Mix-and-match clothing

Pack a variety of mix-and-match items, also known as a capsule wardrobe, for your cruise. To do this, choose a base color – black or navy blue – for your wardrobe. Next, pack plain, neutral-colored items, then add a few patterned items to the mix. Remember to include a variety of styles (T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, rompers and jumpsuits) and also consider reversible clothing and outfits that can easily transition from day to night.

Sports jacket or blazer

Adam Coulter, executive editor of Cruise Critic UK & Australia, recommends packing a sports jacket or blazer. "While cruise lines are getting more casual, what happens if you get that last-minute invite to meet the captain, or there's a meet and mingle where you want to look put together? A jacket will always elevate your elegance (even if you're wearing a T-shirt underneath)," he says. If you're in need of a travel blazer, Bluffworks has some well-rated options; the Gramercy , in particular, gets great reviews.

Themed party attire

Some cruise lines host themed voyages or parties on select nights where passengers can dress up to participate in the fun. You'll want to review your cruise itinerary before you go so you're prepared for the festivities. Bring your buccaneer gear if you're sailing aboard Disney Cruise Line; ships host fun events like Pirate Nights, pirate-themed dinners and a "Pirates in the Caribbean" show. On "The Love Boat"-themed cruises offered by Princess Cruises , pack your platform boots, glittery dresses, bell-bottom pants and halter tops for the line's 1970s-inspired disco party on the deck. No matter the theme, you can't go wrong with a couple of captain hats .

Travel wrap

A travel wrap is a versatile accessory that's useful for any trip – even more so on a cruise ship where it can get chilly when the sea breeze picks up. Available in nearly 10 different colors, J.Crew's Oversized Cashmere Wrap is a timeless staple, albeit a bit of an investment; for something less expensive but well rated, try this off-brand pashmina shawl on Amazon .

Packable jacket

Courtesy of Patagonia

If you're cruising to a cold weather destination such as Alaska, you'll need something heavier than a travel wrap, but not so bulky that it requires additional luggage. Consider a packable jacket that folds easily and compactly; travel experts highly recommend the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket .

Packable hat

If you're headed to the Caribbean or another warm weather destination, you'll want a beach hat to protect your scalp and face from the sun. This packable straw hat by FURTALK (available on Amazon for about $25) is a stylish women's option that features a broader brim and offers UPF 50 sun protection.

Comfortable walking shoes

Courtesy of Allbirds

Even if you never step foot off the ship, there is still plenty of walking to do between bow and stern. Closed-toe shoes or sandals with straps are safer than flimsy flip-flops when boarding a slippery tender into port (if your ship can't dock directly). Check out our recommendations for the most comfortable walking shoes , which include the popular Allbirds Wool Runners and the ECCO Yucatan Sandals .

Water shoes

Depending on your scheduled shore excursions, you might also need a pair of water shoes. For something that's both functional and fashionable, Crocs' Classic Clogs are a good option. While not totally waterproof, the Native Jefferson is a water-friendly, versatile option.

Versatile heels

"Over the years, I've learned that the key to avoiding overpacking is to bring one neutral pair of low heels that match every single eveningwear outfit I've packed – from flowy pants to dresses," says Schildhouse, who loves her Rockport Tabitha 2-Strap Heeled Sandals . "They have a cushioned footbed and shock-absorbing heel so you can dance the night away in the club, and a 3-inch block heel with traction to keep you steady on your feet even if the ship's rocking a bit."

Reusable water bottle

A reusable water bottle is useful for filling up at water and beverage stations on your cruise ship; it's also a necessity for shore excursions.

Bathing suit

Pack a couple of swimsuits for the pools, hot tubs and any shore excursions.

Swim cover-up

Another must-have for your cruise packing list is a swimsuit cover-up or two. These are great for wearing over your bathing suit during days at sea, as well as on excursions – especially if you're going on a Caribbean cruise . Amazon sells a variety of stylish, affordable cover-ups, and you can never go wrong with a classic white button-down shirt .

Dry bags are useful for shore excursions where you're likely to get wet but don't want the same to be true for your phone, camera and other precious items. "I use the Outdoor Research Unisex Dry Isolation Pack   and have never had so much as a drop of moisture enter it, which is important for me – it keeps my cameras, documents and important items from getting wet," says Saunders, adding that it functions as a great everyday backpack when it's not raining.

If you need more than one dry bag, cruise expert Brittany Chrusciel recommends the Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag Set . "Having these dry bags, in a variety of sizes, means I can bring all my gear along during a Zodiac cruise or snorkeling excursion without having to worry about it getting wet."

Waterproof phone case

A waterproof phone case is also essential, especially if you plan to take photos. The Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouches (available in a two-pack) come with a lanyard so you can both protect your phone and wear it around your neck. They are compatible with most smartphones.

"I like to bring collapsible pails, small shovels , inflatable beach toys, a floppy Frisbee or other things to entertain the kids on the beach if we're going to a private island or beach destination," says Silverstein. "If you can inflate your own inner tube, you don't need to rent a floating mat."

Beach towel

"Although cruise lines provide guests with towels to take off the ship on excursions, they are often bulky and sometimes small," explains Chrusciel. "The Surfer Towel folds up to nearly nothing, so it takes up almost no room in your suitcase and is super convenient to pack in a day bag. What's more, its quick-drying technology means that the lightweight fabric won't be soaking wet when you need to pack up for the day and head back to the ship."

Towel clips

"Even though giant plastic towel clips shaped like a flamingo are a bit cringey, they make it easy to find your spot in a sea of sun loungers," says Chrusciel. "They also solve a common cruise problem: keeping your towel securely fixed to your chair while reading or sunbathing."

Reef-safe sunscreen

Courtesy of Badger

When choosing a sunscreen, look for something that's reef-safe; not only are these sunscreens safer for the environment, but they're also better for you . The active ingredients in reef-safe sunscreens, also known as mineral sunscreens, are zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or a combination of both. Top-rated mineral sunscreen brands include Think , Badger and Raw Elements , all of which also sell lip balm with sunscreen (another essential at sea).

After-sun lotion

You'll want an extra dose of moisturizer if you've been basking in the sun. COOLA makes an after-sun body lotion that cools and hydrates the skin with aloe vera, agave and lavender oil. Previous buyers rave about this lotion, noting they appreciate that the scent isn't overpowering.

A good book

Sea days are the perfect time to kick back and relax with a book you've been meaning to read. Find an oceanfront lounge chair in a shaded area on the pool deck, or grab a cup of tea and settle into a quiet nook indoors. There's no need to pack more than one book, however, as many cruise ships have libraries.

What not to pack for a cruise

Power strip.

Many cruise lines do not permit power strips as they present a fire hazard, while others allow them as long as they are non-surge-protected. Instead of a power strip, purchase a portable charger such as this highly rated one by Anker , which can power up multiple devices at once. This can be especially useful for shore excursions. When packing for your cruise, also think about your luggage: If it has an included charging port, you may not even need to purchase an additional charging block.

Weapons and restraints

Firearms, handcuffs and the like are not permitted on cruise ships. This rule also includes toy guns on most cruise lines.

While most major cruise lines allow guests to pack a limited amount of wine or Champagne per person, they do not permit hard liquor. Of course, those of age can purchase cocktails at any of the bars on board.

Household appliances

Irons and steamers are not permitted on cruise ships, which is why the aforementioned garment bags, wrinkle release spray and packing cubes are recommended for keeping clothing tidy and neat. Coffee makers and mug warmers are also prohibited.

While you can technically bring you own, it's not necessary as hairdryers are available in every bathroom on most ships.

CBD and marijuana

CBD that's derived from hemp and contains 0.3% THC or less is legal at a federal level. However, each state interprets and enforces this law differently; for example, many states require a prescription for it. Due to the ambiguity of the laws, most cruise lines continue to ban CBD in any form.

Marijuana remains illegal under U.S. federal law, which means you cannot bring it on a cruise ship – even if you're legally able to purchase it in your home state for recreational or medical use.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

For the U.S. News Cruise Packing List, travel writers Gwen Pratesi and Amanda Norcross tapped leading industry experts for their cruise essentials. They regularly update this checklist with new and useful items to pack.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Cruise Lines
• The Best Adults-Only Cruises
• The Best All-Inclusive Cruises

Vacation Ideas for Every Traveler

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Yes, You Can Pack for a 2-week Trip in a Single Carry-on — Here’s How I Did It for Vietnam

Plus, the 15 travel essentials I reached for every day.

Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan

Packing in a single carry-on for a two-week trip is not for the faint of heart — especially when the destination has seven distinct climate regions. That’s exactly the case in Vietnam, where I just traveled more than 1,000 miles from top to bottom, experiencing bustling cities, rice terrace-laced mountains, and white sand beaches, with 50- to 95-degree Fahrenheit days along the way. Even for a travel editor, it was an epic packing challenge — but I’m here to tell you that it is possible .

Here’s the secret: pack versatile pieces from your travel capsule wardrobe that you can mix and match for multiple situations and be willing to wash your clothes in the sink as you go. Above all, let the activities on your itinerary inform your choices (the more practical and minimalist, the better). While most of my trip was low-key — as in I ate at hole-in-the-wall street vendors and got sweaty on five-hour bus transfers to the Mekong Delta — this was not a backpacker trip where I could re-wear the same sweats every day; I stayed in five-star hotels like Travel + Leisure reader-favorite Capella Hanoi and InterContinental Danang and ate at Michelin-starred restaurants like Anan and Koki, too — so I really needed a wardrobe that could cover all of the bases and then some. 

Aside from comfortable shoes and a basic black dress that could be dressed up or down, I found that a rain jacket and ripstop joggers were absolute essentials in this country. Whether I was trekking in Sa Pa, beaching it in Phú Quốc, or strolling lantern-lit Hội An, I kept reaching for the same 15 items from my trusty Away Bigger Carry-on — a suitcase that was just large enough to pack it all in. Read on to find out what else I wore on repeat, starting at $13.

Ripstop, Quick-dry Joggers

If you’ve got adventure activities on the itinerary like I did —  kayaking Hạ Long Bay, hiking in Sa Pa, and floating down the Mekong Delta included — you’ll thank yourself for packing durable pants. There are two pairs that I reached for time and again on this trip: my Vuori Ripstop Joggers that were sturdy enough for all-day adventures in the elements, impervious to scratches from brushing up against palm leaves but still seriously lightweight and comfy enough for a flight, with five pockets to boot. I was sold the minute I read this review on Vuori’s site: “I love these pants so much. I have them in three different colors, and I do everything from hiking to ranch work in them. I highly recommend them forever and always.”

The second pair? These quick-drying UPF 50 Baleaf joggers that earned me a compliment from my tour guide in the Mekong Delta — she said they were the perfect lightweight material to wick sweat in the humid, 95-degree Fahrenheit heat. They’ll be my go-to hiking pants for summer.

Comfortable Sneakers

There’s just no getting around the need for comfortable walking shoes on any and every trip. Since my vacation was mostly adventure-based, I opted for classic athletic running shoes that I knew would carry me through any situation. I especially love these Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles , not just for their super comfy foam footbeds, but also because they have a water-repellent coating that stands up to street puddles in Hanoi, drizzly days at sea in Hạ Long Bay, and in Sa Pa’s soggy rice terraces — and they kept my toes dry (note: they’re not waterproof. It rained so much in Sapa that our tour guide suggested we borrow the hotel’s rain boots on the wettest day of our trek, but for just walking around the mountainside property , these were ideal).

Long Raincoat

The rainy season in northern Vietnam is from July to September, and Sa Pa’s mountains average 137 foggy days per year — so there’s a lot of precipitation to go around. It rained the entire first week of my trip while I visited Hanoi, Sa Pa, and Hạ Long Bay. Sometimes, that’s just how the cookie crumbles, which is why I’m so glad that I packed a raincoat for trekking through the area’s small towns and rice terraces and for drizzly kayaking. 

This Amazon one is similar to mine (and only $45!), as is this top-rated REI raincoat that’s a bit more technical. I love that it has a hood and cinches at the waist for a flattering fit but also goes over the butt, so most of you is covered. Even when it wasn’t raining, I used my raincoat as a windbreaker on a chilly day in Ba Na Hills, and to cut the breeze on deck as we cruised Hạ Long Bay. I wore it on the plane to avoid taking up space in my carry-on, and I’m glad I had it to keep me warm in the blasting AC.

Kayla Becker

Crossbody Belt Bag

If you ask me, a bag that you can access quickly, keeps your valuables close to your chest, and keeps you hands-free is essential for any destination, not just Vietnam. For this trip, I packed my go-to Nomatic RFID-blocking belt bag (which is so sturdy and useful that even my husband always tries to steal it from me). But I also have and love this $38 Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag , as well as this $13 version from Amazon-loved brand Ododos . What can I say, I find these bags so functional that I have a growing collection of them. And believe me, when you’re haggling at the Hoi An night market for beautiful lanterns and lacquerware, the last thing you want to worry about is searching for your wallet in a backpack, which is better for hiking days when there aren’t so many crowds.

Wide-leg Linen Pants

It wasn’t all rain clouds on this trip, especially once we flew south to Ho Chi Minh City, where we were greeted with 90-degree Fahrenheit heat. I bought these super-soft Tencell lyocell Allison Wide-leg Pants from Marine Layer specifically because they were breezy but also cropped, so I wouldn’t have to worry about getting the bottoms dirty or wet in the city. Plus, black goes with everything and hides stains and wrinkles. Since they were breathable and light as a feather, they kept me cool on sweltering days by the hotel pool. But I found that they were so versatile that I wore them almost every day of the second week, including to the beaches in Da Nang and Phú Quốc. They’re kind of pricey but, in my opinion, well worth the money. For something a little more affordable, I’m also into these linen pants from Quince , which were recommended by a fellow T+L writer who just returned from Southeast Asia.

Basic Cotton Tanks

Arguably the best purchase I made before my trip was this two-pack of tanks, both of which are now a permanent part of my travel capsule wardrobe . I wore them almost every day (don’t worry, I washed them in the sink!) whether it was under a button-down for a little extra insulation on chilly days in Hanoi, over a bathing suit on the beach in Phú Quốc, or as a top in the steamy Mekong Delta when it was so hot that I couldn’t fathom wearing another layer. They have a close ribbed fit, scoop neckline, and most importantly, they’re breathable. Amazon shoppers seem to agree, saying they’ve held up everywhere from the Central American rainforest to Disney World . I also absolutely love the high-neck fit of this one , which I bought to pair with my beach sarong on Phú Quốc Island.

Polarized Sunglasses

In addition to my favorite SPF and a travel-size bug spray with DEET (I prefer non-chemical sprays, but the travel medicine clinic advised me to pack a powerful, effective spray to prevent mosquito-borne diseases), eye protection is essential in Vietnam, and let’s be real, everywhere! I opted for a cheap but still stylish pair like these $15 Sojos sunglasses at Amazon so I wouldn’t feel bad if they fell to the bottom of the Saigon River. Ultimately, they were so sturdy that they made it back home in one piece. Several Amazon shoppers attest that they’re “ perfect for traveling .”

Linen Jumpsuit

Although this was largely an active itinerary, I mixed in a few Michelin-starred restaurants along the way considering they were so affordable here. I’m talking $15-per-person-affordable for multiple courses at Hanoi’s atmospheric teahouse, Tầm Vị. For these special nights out, I wanted to pack something nicer but still breathable for the heat. This is a newer version of the Mango one I bought a few summers ago, but I won’t retire it until it gives up on me. I wore it to Anan in Saigon, and it even matched the walls, painted with tropical leaves, and to a rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh City, where it popped against the skyscrapers glowing with neon lights.

Quick-dry Black Dress

When you’re in a paddle boat on the Mekong Delta or a walking tour in steamy Saigon and air-conditioning is just a distant memory, you won’t want to wear more clothes than you have to. That’s why I packed this travel writer wardrobe hack : the sporty, quick-dry Columbia Freezer Dress that’s made with cooling technology. It felt light as a feather but still wicked sweat and had UPF 30 sun protection. For breezy days, I layered my oversized white button-down over it. And with the collar, I felt like I could get away with visiting a nice restaurant or museum in it.

Swimsuit and Cover-up

A quick flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phú Quốc Island put us right on one of the most picturesque beaches that I’ve ever seen. For this part of the itinerary, where we stayed at JW Marriott Phu Quoc , I packed this orange Agua Bendita Lavanda sarong wrap, which has come in handy on all my beach trips from Hawaii to Vietnam — and the color really popped against the white sand. It was a splurge, but I recently came across this dead ringer at Amazon that’s practically a steal since it comes with a bathing suit and matching cover-up for $34. I love sarong-style cover-ups like this because they look elegant enough to wear straight from the beach to a restaurant, as I did at the Long Bar at InterContinental Danang .

Water-resistant Hiking Sandals

Because I didn’t want to ruin my go-to leather Birkenstock sandals, I knew that I needed to buy a water-resistant pair for this trip. So, I became a first-time Teva Original Universal sandals owner, and I’m now fully converted. These were not only super comfy for walking around the beaches and hiking trails, but they also stayed molded to my feet and were easy to spray down when they got sandy or muddy. The rubber EVA soles were supportive and cushy — what more could you ask for in a pair of versatile black sandals?

White Button-down Shirt

I visited more than nine towns in the 1,000-plus miles that I crossed between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, each one widely ranging in temperature. And yet, I wore this shirt at every single stop of the trip. It worked as a temple-appropriate top on a walking tour of Hanoi, as a beach cover-up in Danang, as a layer over my black dress for dinner in Ho Chi Minh City — the list goes on. Amazon shoppers rave about how “ comfortable and versatile ” it is and that it “ travels great ,” too.

Packable Puffer Jacket

Word to the wise: Don’t be like me and underestimate how cold it can be in Hanoi and mountainous regions like Sa Pa and Ba Na Hills. It was spring when I visited, and the lows hovered around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I braved it for about a day before I broke down and bought this Ultra-Light Down Jacket from the nearest Uniqlo in Hanoi, and I ended up wearing it all over the temperate northern region. But truthfully, since I got home to Boston, I can’t stop wearing it here either. It packs down into practically nothing and has its own carrying case, so it’s a mainstay in my suitcase now, just in case.

Compression Socks

The flight from Ho Chi Minh City to London Heathrow was 13 hours, the longest flight I’ve been on in a while. Since my legs and feet start to swell on flights like this, I made sure to wear my nylon Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks . I got the recommendation from my sister, who swore by them when she was pregnant. I’m not the only one who thinks that they’re a game-changer for in-flight comfort — this 26-week pregnant traveler , who flew internationally, and this jet-setter, who wore them for 15-plus hours , agree.

Lightweight Mom Jeans

Abercrombie & Fitch

Yes, I am one of those few travelers who still packs jeans on trips because of their versatility — but only if they’re super comfortable and lightweight. I wore this flattering Abercrombie & Fitch High-rise Mom Jean pair way more often than I was expecting on this trip, especially in the north on chilly days. The best part about these on-trend jeans is that they pair with anything in any season, from white sneakers and a chunky sweater to sandals and a tank — that, and the fact that they get plenty of use year-round at home, too.

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